Radnički Kragujevac secured a 2:1 victory over IMT Novi-Belgrade on Saturday evening in Round 6 of the SuperLiga. The home side took an early lead through Slobodan Simović in the second minute, but IMT fought back to level matters before Nikola Glišić struck late to seal the result. It was a match defined by moments rather than sustained dominance.
Simović's opener came almost immediately, catching the visitors off-guard. By then, IMT had barely settled into their shape, and the goal gave the hosts a cushion they would need. The visitors recovered quickly, but that first few minutes set the tone for a game that would hinge on three or four decisive episodes.
IMT's response came from the penalty spot, Issa Bah converting in the 82nd minute after a foul inside the area. To be fair, the visitors had created little in open play before that — they registered zero big chances throughout the match. The penalty was a turning point, shifting momentum briefly, but Radnički refused to let it stand.
Glišić's 88th-minute strike proved decisive, coming after IMT had thrown bodies forward in search of an equaliser. And here's the thing about late goals — they often come from transitions, and Radnički had waited patiently for their moment. The visitors had camped in the final third for much of the closing stages, but they couldn't quite break through.
The statistics tell a story of one-sided possession without one-sided chances. Radnički held 58 per cent of the ball and registered 10 shots within the penalty area, yet only managed five on target. IMT, with 42 per cent possession, were more efficient on target with their two attempts. The visitors created nothing of note in open play, which makes the penalty goal all the more significant.
The result leaves IMT in third place with 13 points from seven games, while Radnički move to fifth on 10 points from six matches. The gap between them is narrowing, and this was a result that could prove crucial come the spring. Radnički have now won three of their last five league encounters, including a 1:0 victory over IMT earlier this season.