Red Star and the Champions League: Financial Bomb or Illusion?
Red Star Belgrade is once again in the spotlight, but not just for football on the pitch. The club’s general director, Zvezdan Terzić, openly spoke about the financial aspects and priorities of the club in European competitions. Is the Champions League really a golden goose or just a dream?
The Priority is the Champions League, but…
Terzić made it clear: “Qualifying for the Champions League is the priority!” But he immediately added that the Europa League brings in half the revenue. To be precise, Red Star can earn about 30 million euros from the Champions League, while in the Europa League that amount is around 15 million. That’s the financial reality!
The Reality of Football and Revenues
Terzić didn’t hold back on the reality of football. According to him, many realistic people believe that the Europa League is the right level for Red Star. Why? Because fans would be more satisfied, whether in the stadium or in front of the TV, and the club would be much more competitive in the Europa League than in the Champions League.
Billions in Football – and Us?
Terzić also mentioned that last year the revenue in the Champions League was an incredible 1.08 billion euros! Yes, you read that right – over a billion euros! And Red Star? Only 30 million. A huge difference that clearly shows how hard it is to compete with the big European clubs.
The Arrival of Marko Arnautović – Bombshell or Salvation?
At the same time, the Serbian football world is buzzing about Marko Arnautović’s arrival at Red Star. The Inter striker is coming to Belgrade to sign a two-year contract, and Austrian media are already calling him the biggest signing in the history of Serbian football.
What Does This Mean for Red Star?
Arnautović’s arrival is a real bombshell in the summer transfer market. The club already has serious forwards like Sherif Ndiaje and Bruno Duarte, who will stay until the end of European qualifiers. Decisions on further transfers will depend on the club’s participation in European competitions.
Financial Challenges and Ambitions
Although Red Star has big ambitions, the financial challenges are huge. The club must balance the desire to qualify for the Champions League with the reality that the Europa League might be a more realistic goal.
Conclusion
Red Star is at a crossroads: will it manage to secure a spot in the Champions League and thus guarantee millions in revenue, or will it settle for a more realistic but less profitable competition? The arrival of Arnautović certainly brings new energy, but the question is whether it’s enough for the big European challenges.
What do you think? Can Red Star compete with the European giants, or is the Europa League a more realistic dream? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s the optimist and who’s the realist in this football drama!
Sources: Tanjug, Danas, B92
