Katai out at Red Star: injury or Rijera's punishment?
Mozzart Sport reports that coach Albert Rijera has dropped Aleksandar Katai for two games over his reaction to being substituted, while the club cites an injury.
While Red Star struggled through the first half in Kragujevac against Radnicki 1923, Aleksandar Katai was not among those who made the trip. He did not travel with the squad, even though, according to Mozzart Sport’s Sunday, October 11 report, he trained as normal during the international break.
The official explanation for his absence is an injury. The club has not confirmed that it is a disciplinary measure, but Mozzart Sport paints a different picture: according to that newsroom’s information, coach Albert Rijera has internally removed Katai from the competitive squad for two games.
What prompted the decision on Katai?
All claims about a suspension come from a single source, Mozzart Sport, and B92 merely relays them with the same attribution. They are therefore presented here as media reports, not as confirmed fact.
According to that reporting, Rijera was unhappy with Katai’s reaction when he was substituted in the game before the international break. Katai played 60 minutes, and Mirko Ivanic came on in his place. The Spanish coach, according to the same source, read that behavior as undermining his authority in the dressing room.
Mozzart Sport also notes that an injury was given as the official reason in Mirko Ivanic’s case as well.
Where is Katai now, and when does he return?
Katai reportedly took the news of two games out of the team calmly, but believes he has done nothing wrong and that, through his attitude to his duties, he has always set an example for younger teammates.
If Rijera sticks with the decision, Katai will not be in contention for Red Star’s first away game in the Conference League, against Lugano. According to Mozzart Sport, his return to the competitive squad is planned only after that match.
Mozzart Sport also describes Katai as the best player of the Serbian champions this century, and Rijera as a coach who likes to be the number one authority in the dressing room and who is ready to significantly rejuvenate the starting lineup.
How did Red Star play without him?
Red Star beat Radnicki 1923 3-0 (0-0) at Cika Daca stadium. The goals came from Bamba Dieng in the 48th minute, Stefan Gudelj in the 58th and Arnautovic in the 88th, the last one after an assist from Gudelj.
Mozzart Sport’s match report describes the first half as one of Red Star’s weakest in the past several years. Rijera fielded a lineup without the long-time pillars of the side, and only after Nakajima and Lucasen swapped sides in defense did the red-whites start to play. The injured Cama was replaced by Bukari in the 22nd minute, and Rade Krunic finally got minutes, which the report calls significant news ahead of Lugano.
Red Star thus won in Kragujevac without Katai, but the question around him remains open. The club still cites an injury as the reason for his absence, and the next indicator will be the travel squad for Lugano.
