Albert Riera (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Red Star are racing against the clock to strengthen three key positions before tonight’s deadline for registering players for the Conference League.
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Red Star Belgrade is facing a race against time to strengthen Albert Riera's squad before the deadline for registering players for the Conference League.
The Serbian giants must submit their European squad by midnight between September 2 and 3. Although the domestic transfer window remains open for several more days, any player signed after the UEFA deadline would not be available for the Conference League league phase.
Red Star have already been extremely active in the market, but their disappointing Champions League qualifying campaign changed the situation considerably. Dejan Stanković departed, and Albert Riera arrived, bringing a new tactical system and different demands from his players.
The squad has also been weakened by several recent departures, leaving Riera with clear gaps that the club's management will try to fill before the European registration deadline.
Right-back, winger and striker wanted
Three positions currently stand out. Red Star need a right-back after selling Seol Jung Woo and Nikola Stanković, while the options on the left wing have been reduced to Kristijan Balov and Vladimir Lučić, particularly with Mirko Ivanić increasingly operating centrally.
The situation in attack is similarly limited. Following the departures of Bruno Duarte and Jay Enem, Riera currently has Marko Arnautović and Bamba Dieng as his main options at centre-forward.
That means any late arrivals are expected to strengthen the right-back, left-wing and striker positions. However, Riera values versatile footballers capable of operating in several roles, so Red Star could also target players whose primary positions are different but who fit his tactical requirements.
The urgency comes from Red Star's first appearance in the Conference League, where they will play six league-phase matches between mid-October and mid-December. Players must be registered by tonight to take part in that European campaign.
Riera made his squad philosophy clear during his introductory press conference. In addition to three goalkeepers, the Spanish coach wants 22 outfield players with different characteristics who can compete for places and adapt to his system.
Red Star therefore has only hours remaining to satisfy their new coach's wishes. The Serbian transfer window may stay open beyond tonight, but for Riera's Conference League plans, midnight is the real deadline.