Doors closed in Belgrade

Violent incidents
The Belgrade side can usually bank on an impressive atmosphere at home, but after violent incidents marred their qualifying tie against Croatian team NK Inter Zaprešic, UEFA decreed that the 1991 European Champion Clubs' Cup winners should start their Group E campaign in an empty stadium.

'New era'
"I am angry, but not only with the 'Delije' [Crvena Zvezda's supporters], I am angry with all of us," said club president Dragan Stojković. "This is a new era and we must respect the rules. Now we are paying the price. We will play without the help of our supporters. We are also losing a chance to make money. We could have earned about €500,000 from a match like this. Of course, money is not our main target but that is a significant figure. We will learn a lesson from this."

Team credentials
However, while Crvena Zvezda are counting the cost of their fans' behaviour, Stojković feels he has no reason to doubt the credentials of his side, who have been in sensational form - winning their last eight domestic games to take a five-point lead over FK Voždovac at the top of the First League. "We have no reason to doubt ourselves," said Stojković, who took over from Dragan Džajić at the end of last season. "We are a club with a glorious European history. We've had problems in the last few seasons and we will have no supporters, but we have the bravery and ability to beat Basel."

Impressive form
Under new coach Walter Zenga, who succeeded Ratko Dostanić this summer, Crvena Zvezda have demonstrated real class in front of goal. They have scored 32 goals in eleven league games, with forward Nikola Žigić and midfielder Boško Janković registering seven apiece, and striker Milan Purović six. Zenga does not expect the Basel defence to contain that strike force. "I know we can score a minimum of one goal per match but I want more - a few more [against Basel]," he said.

Three-point target
"I believe in my team," added the former FC National Bucuresti and FC Steaua Bucuresti coach. "Basel are tough opponents - they have experienced players and well-defined tactics. We definitely want three points but we are going to have to be very patient."

Closed doors
To prepare for the lack of atmosphere in tonight's game, the Italian has held five training sessions inside the empty stadium. And while left-sided midfielder Vladimir Mudrinić is unlikely to recover from a knee injury in time, defender Milan Dudić is expected to return.

'For now...'
All of which will give the revitalised Crvena Zvezda - who drew a blank on the trophy front last term - more reason to be confident. "I have great respect for our Swiss opponents but I believe we will win," said Stojković. "Our target is the round of 32. For now..."