Red Star Belgrade fans show their affection for AC Milan

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Fans of Crvena Zvezda Belgrade hold up a banner against UEFA, the European football governing body 22 August 2006. The fans voice their anger over UEFA's decision to let AC Milan compete in this season's Champions League. UEFA said it could not barr AC Milan,accused of match fixing in Italy, citing an insufficient legal basis in their rules. The match between Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and AC Milan is part of the preliminary round of the Champions League of the football match. AFP PHOTO/ DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images

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RE: Red Star Belgrade fans show their affection for AC Milan

Red Star coach Bajevic not downbeat after Milan defeat

By Zoran Milosavljevic

BELGRADE, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Red Star Belgrade manager Dusan Bajevic was far from downbeat after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to AC Milan in the Champions league third qualifying round ended his dream of reaching the group stage.

"The players lived up to expectations in terms of effort and commitment so I see no reason why anyone should criticise them," the 57-year old coach told reporters after a 2-1 second leg defeat in the Serbian capital on Tuesday.

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"I've got no complaints or regrets. We were up against a mountain we couldn't climb because Milan are one of the strongest teams in the world," he said.

"The early goal cut us in half and there was no way back."

Red Star never looked like erasing the 1-0 first leg deficit and their hopes evaporated when Filippo Inzaghi silenced the home crowd with a 29th minute header.

Clarence Seedorf made it 2-0 in the 78th minute with a crisp low shot and Dusan Djokic's volley two minutes later was scant consolation for the raucous 55,000 home crowd.

"The better team won and we have nothing to be ashamed of. This is the best Red Star can do at the moment and I want to thank our fans for their fantastic support," Djokic said.

Teams eliminated from the Champions league third qualifying round enter the UEFA Cup first round and Red Star are hoping to at least emulate last season's achievement of reaching the group stage.

Djokic believes the Serbian champions will quickly bounce back from the Milan defeat and enjoy a good UEFA Cup run.

"That is our next challenge and we have to pull our socks up now because the season has just started. We still have plenty to play for and I am confident we will do well," he said.

Red Star won the European Cup in 1991 but have never qualified for the Champions league group stage and failed to progress in Europe past the winter break since 1992.

Updated on Wednesday