Red Star crushes Slovan Liberec in Europa League

BELGRADE - Serbia's Red Star Belgrade hammered Czech side Slovan Liberec 5-1 in Europa League Group L here on Thursday.

The home team started the match at the Rajko Mitic stadium without the guidance of coach Dejan Stankovic, who had received a red card in the previous match, but Ben Nabouhane lifted Red Star into a 2-0 lead with goals in the 7th and 21st minutes.

Slovan's Jan Matousek cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 41st minute with a long-distance effort.

After the interval, Milan Gajic extended Red Star's lead in the 49th minute after an assist by Ben.

Aleksandar Katai added another goal in the 67th minute, while Diego Falcinelli sealed the win on 70 minutes.

Red Star sits second in the group with three points, followed by Slovan, who also has three points but an inferior goal difference. Hoffenheim tops the group with six points, with bottom side KAA Gent still pointless.