Media Day at Teleoptik Sports Centre

FK Partizan staged a Media Day at Teleoptik SC ahead of weekend`s season opener away to Proleter. Media reps were greeted by Partizan General Director Milos Vazura, club officials Ivica Iliev, Mladen Mijatovic and Ivica Kralj.

The idea behind first Media Day since the Covid-19 breakout was to introduce media reps with club`s next season plans and talk about current transfer window, Conference League and domestic championship with club officials and Head Coach Aleksandar Stanojevic.

“First game of the season is always tough. We are away to Proleter in Novi Sad and ready for it. There are couple of sidelined players – Terzic and Obradovic – but the rest of the players are fit and healthy. Season kicks-off and we know what we have to do”, said Aleksandar Stanojevic.

“You cannot allow yourself any blunders in domestic league. I believe this is unique championship in the world, the one where you have to win all your games if you want to battle for the top. It`s hard competing with the rival who suffers a total of four defeats in four years. I don`t know of any similar situation in the world of football, ever. Last season, we won number of points sufficient enough n the past for you to win the title or battle for it until the very end. Therefore, each and every game needs to be won if we want to remain competitive”.

Five days after Proleter away, Partizan will meet with DAC Dunajska Streda for a Conference League round 2 qualifier. This season, fans will be allowed at the stands up to 50% of the capacity.

“I`m pleased we play this domestic encounter ahead of European one, it means a lot to us because of the fans too. After so much time we`ll have our supporters on the stands and the feeling is great. I hope they`ll be with us away to Proleter too. We play first European game at home and I expect great support in these tough times for Partizan, when our status is not as good as our bitter rival`s is”, said Stanojevic.

Stanojevic also talked about VAR introduction this season.

“If you have clean intentions, you don`t need VAR. It can help in certain situations, otherwise it can only thwart you. It`s all about people, it`s humans who control all this. We didn`t have problems with refs decision so far, I hope we won`t have them in the future too”.

Returnee Ricardo Gomes is ready for the new season, Holender and Soumah are back with the squad too, but Guinean midfielder is not in a competitive pace yet. Partizan boss also spoke about young Partizan players and those on the exit doors.

We agreed with Matic and Gigic to find a new club. Stulic is supposed to go out on a loan as Milovanovic took his spot. Bazdar and Djordjevic will remain part of the squad with Djordjevic also eligible to play for Partizan youths. As for the Subotic, it will be good for him to play senior football on loan somewhere too”, said Stanojevic.

PHOTO GALLERY: MIROSLAV TODOROVIC