Club president Dragan Stojkovic believes Red Star Belgrade can knock AC Milan out of the Champions League qualifiers when the Italians face the "inferno" of the Serbians' Marakana ground.
Stojkovic, who scored both Red Star's goals against Milan in a 1988 European Cup tie, was upbeat despite his side losing Wednesday's third round, first leg 1-0 at San Siro.
"We have every reason to hope we can defy the odds and qualify for the Champions League," he was quoted as telling popular daily Sportski Zurnal on Thursday.
"Milan know very well that an inferno awaits them at our Marakana ground, they've been there before."
Stojkovic, whose 1988 side were knocked out on penalties by future trophy winners Milan after two 1-1 draws, was not the only one relishing the second leg in Belgrade on Aug. 22.
Right back Dusan Basta said it was "payback time" for the Serbian club, adding: "I wasn't at all impressed by the six-times European champions although they had more chances.
"We have a good result for the return leg in Belgrade and I am confident our fans will be the extra man we need to achieve our dream of knocking Milan out.
"No one gave us a chance in hell when we were drawn against this European giant, but we showed a lot of heart."
Only a string of superb saves by goalkeeper keeper Ivan Randjelovic kept Red Star's hopes alive on Wednesday after Filippo Inzaghi hit a 22nd minute winner on his 33rd birthday.
Coach Dusan Bajevic was more cautious, saying: "Milan will be even stronger and much more dangerous in two weeks' time because they have just started preparing for the new season and this will make our job very difficult.
"On the other hand, we have two weeks to get some rest and brace ourselves for another titanic clash with them. We'll do our best to get the result we want."
Red Star, who won the European Cup in 1991, have never qualified for the lucrative group stage of Europe's premier club competition

Their crappy team are weaker than our youth team

I'll wait...they could turn out to be like Liverpool in Anfield...strong b@stards.

We shall see. When is the return leg?

Like I said there not a big problem. We should have some of our reserves back in shape and ready to go for the next match.

Whats really missing is finishing ability on our squad. We are really missing the versatility of Scheva.

I didn't see the first match but I read Milan squandered some chances, hopefully we can sustain because we can't afford to against a good team like Red Star.

In two weeks

After this day, after being so disappointed and sad with all the Milan structure and board, I wouldn't be surprise if Red Star kick us out of CL.

I'm really... well, I can't describe what I feel right now.

I'm pretty down just about their lack of aggression in the transfer market.

As well as having to hear about all these transfers linked to Milan and none of them come. We've heard about the Ibra rumour for the past several months.

I'm really pointing to Milans management and organization. They are the ones that almost got us relegated and they are basically stuck in the Van Basten years.

I'm not really sure what he is talking about here because Red Star barely touched the ball and the only reason they survived a heavier defeat was because of some outstanding saves by the keeper, IMO that's was the only player from their team that was showing a lot of heart.

I wish we could show them what we can really do once we have prepared really well and not with just one friendly and some of our best players injured or in the game but still not doing anything because of low fitness

They want an inferno at Belgrade .. We'll give them an inferno

With our defence recovered I think we'll be even more powerfull

Don't forget that we are devils and we'll be just at home in their supposed inferno.

This guy must be stupid Milan have played in stadiums far more intimdiating then there's. I'm sure that the stadium atmosphere won't be a problem for our players

inferno? please, milans world champions dealt with germanys "volcano" and I see no reason why their stadium and crowd will affect our world class players

Devils thrive in fiery atmospheres

I'm reasonably confident about the 2nd leg. They're going to have to play domestic games between now and then - Milan can focus solely on training and regaining fitness.

Their team is better in making headlines than playing football

we will burry them they naw it themselves
we will have no mercy for them

An early goal for us and the floodgates will open

In the meantime let them talk all the 5hit they want to...we'll do our talking on the pitch

We definately will

Totally right,

Believe it or not I would have been more worried if we had built up a big lead, because you know what happens when we do that, this way the players will stay focused and not take a rest on the pitch and rely on the lead they had built in the first leg

i think training had a lot to do with the outcome of this match...they were all kind of thrown into it because of the scandal...with some practise with the new players and some of our starters coming off injury i think we'll be a lot better