Conference League: Partizan v K.A.A Gent preview

Partizan is home to Gent on Thursday (9pm CET kick-off) as part of Conference League group stage round 3 fixtures. Both teams have two wins from opening two rounds.

TEAM NEWS

Nemanja Jovic (Covid-19) is back in training but not available for selection yet.

Pre-match press-conference was attended by Partizan Head Coach Aleksandar Stanojevic and goalkeeper Aleksandar Popovic.

Aleksandar Stanojevic:

-This is one of the key games in regard to next round`s progress. We are playing against the team who`s currently battling for the top spot with us. Therefore, we know upcoming two games against Gent will be most likely crucial. We are more than ready and motivated for this encounter.

Aleksandar Popovic:

-As the boss said, these two upcoming games are battle for the top spot. Both teams showed they have the quality for the top two spots. We are at home tomorrow, I think we have good chances to win it and to move three points ahead of Gent.

Aleksandar Stanojevic:

-Jupiler Pro is a fine league, Belgians invest in their football a lot but Gent lacked consistency this season so far. They had number of injuries but I think they are all back now, apart from one player, I think. They are picking up and it will be extremely hard against Gent. But, it was never going to be easy if you want to be top of the group. Therefore, it`s a challenge for us and even more so as we know we never achieved a win over one Belgian team.

Gent`s team is full of strong, athletic players, they have good pace and attack in great numbers, they have 6 or 7 attackers in their roster and they keep rotating. They attack a lot, ready to make risks. I expect good game tomorrow with both teams expected to play attacking football.

We`ll try to impose our game, our style of play. On the other hand, we have to stop their flank game and their central players. We have number of options but that will depend on how things develop on the field.

Aleksandar Popovic:

-Gent had lots of attackers to pick from but not all of them can play at the same time. We have lots of info on all of them and we are preparing for Gent accordingly as we do for any other game. As the boss said, we`ll try to impose our game and to play attacking football, as we always do. It remains to be seen in what direction game will move.

If you ask me can we keep a clean sheet tomorrow, I think we can. We work as a team, both in attack and defensively, we all fight to score and defend.

Aleksandar Stanojevic:

-I`ll announce our line-up to my players later in the day. We have a 5pm training session followed by detailed analysis of Gent and players will learn how we are going to play against them. I know my line-up and I have a clear idea how we are going to play. It will be an attacking-oriented game, for sure.

PHOTO GALLERY: MIROSLAV TODOROVIC