Larne manager Gary Haveron has voiced his pride in his squad following a 4-0 loss to Red Star Belgrade during the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round match. Although Larne managed to hold their own early on, a penalty from Bruno Duarte put the Serbian side ahead by halftime. Three additional goals in the second half from Duarte, Vasilije Kostov, and Muhammed Cham effectively ended the contest.
Haveron noted that while his team showed strong discipline and structure in the first half, they struggled to contain their opponents after the break. He admitted the quality of Red Star Belgrade was on a different level, turning the match into a valuable learning experience for his players. The manager emphasized that while the Champions League might currently be beyond their reach, the team remains focused on performing well in upcoming Europa or Conference League qualifying rounds.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again in Belgrade next Wednesday. Haveron believes the lessons gained from playing against such elite competition will benefit his squad throughout the remainder of the season.
