The spotlight shifts to the Austrian capital, where a man from the depths of Užice has just rewritten his destiny. Nenad Cvetković, a midfielder who has patiently carved his path through the Serbian lower tiers, stood tall as SK Rapid Wien demolished Liefering 3-0. It was a statement performance. A victory that echoes far beyond the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.

From Belgrade Streets to Vienna Glory

Cvetković’s journey is not one of overnight stardom. It is a grind. He began at FK Crvena zvezda, loaned out to Rakovica and Radnički 1923, before finding his footing at Zemun in 2016. Three years of grit. Then came Voždovac, then the Israeli side Hapoel Ashdod. But it was the summer of 2023 that changed everything. He arrived in Vienna, hungry, ready to prove that patience pays dividends.

This season, he has been the engine. 43 appearances. Two goals. One assist. But it was this final qualifier that defined his tenure. From the first whistle to the last, Cvetković covered every blade of grass. He didn’t just play; he commanded.

The Final Blow in Vienna

The match against Liefering was a coronation. After a 2-1 defeat in the first leg, Rapid needed a statement. They got it. Florian Šeller struck in the 26th minute, giving the Viennese side a 1-0 lead at half-time. The pressure mounted. In the 21st minute of the second half, Šeller doubled the advantage, turning the aggregate score in Rapid’s favor. The net was bulging. The crowd was roaring.

Then, in the 92nd minute, Julian Schaub sealed the fate of Liefering with a late strike. 3-0. The job was done. Rapid Vienna has secured their place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers. For Cvetković, it is a personal triumph. For Serbia head coach Veljko Paunović, it is a new question mark. A fresh name. A player who has never represented the national team, yet has just proven he can perform on the biggest stages. The "under the radar" era for Cvetković may be ending.