Radnik Surdulica opened the new Serbian Mozzart Bet Superliga campaign with a gritty and hard-fought 1-0 victory over Novi Pazar, taking maximum points in front of their home supporters. The match, played on 24 August 2026, was a tense, physical contest that underlined just how competitive the Serbian top flight can be when two well-organised sides meet early in the season.

Match overview

From the first whistle, Radnik Surdulica looked to impose themselves on the game, pressing high and denying Novi Pazar time on the ball. The home side’s midfield set the tempo, while their backline remained compact and disciplined. Novi Pazar, meanwhile, tried to play out from the back and use their wide players to create crossing opportunities, but Radnik’s defensive structure held firm throughout.

The decisive goal

The breakthrough arrived in a moment of quality that was otherwise rare in a scrappy encounter. Radnik Surdulica won possession in midfield and quickly released their striker, whose composed finish from inside the area gave the Novi Pazar goalkeeper no chance. It was a reward for the home team’s persistence and a reminder that taking chances in the Superliga is often the difference between winning and dropping points.

Defensive resilience

After taking the lead, Radnik Surdulica were content to sit deeper and soak up pressure. Novi Pazar enjoyed significant spells of possession in the second half and won a series of corners, yet they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-drilled defensive block. When they did test the home goalkeeper, he was equal to the task, producing a sharp save late on to protect all three points.

Standings and early-season context

This result gives Radnik Surdulica an early boost in the Mozzart Bet Superliga standings, showing they can grind out results against mid-table rivals. For Novi Pazar, it is a frustrating start, but there were enough encouraging signs in their build-up play to suggest they will climb the table as the season progresses. Matches like this, decided by fine margins and a single goal, are exactly what makes the Serbian top flight so unpredictable.