Partizan – Crvena zvezda 1:1 (1:0)

Serbian Super League, round 9

Beograd, 23^rd of Sep, 2018

Venue: Partizan Stadium

Att: 25000

Kick-off time: 7pm CET

Referee: Danilo Grujic (Nis)

Yellow cards: Zdjelar, Zakaric (PAR) – Krsticic (CZ)

GOALS: 1-0 `33 Ricardo, 1-1 `72 Boakye

Teams:

PARTIZAN

Stojkovic, NR Miletic, Markovic, Valiente, NG Miletic (`89 Urosevic), Zdjelar, Scekic, Zakaric, Pantic, Jankovic (`82 Kosovic), Ricardo (`80 NIkolic)

CRVENA ZVEZDA

Borjan, Stojkovic, Babic, Degenek, Rodic (`86 Gobeljic), Causic (`HT Jovancic), Krsticic, Ben, Marin,Cafu (`61 Simic), Boakye

Game stats:

PARTIZAN                                    CZ

49%               Possession             51%

11                  Total shots             5

7                      On target              3

4                     Off target               2

2                         Saves                  6

3                    Corner-kicks           3

24                       Fouls                  17

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

`1: Early great opportunity for Partizan! Borjan failed to deal with Pantic`s cross but Jankovic couldn`t seize on it followed by last gasp 6-yard box defensive clearance

`3: NR Miletic`s throw into the box, 12m shot from Jankovic blocked

`7: Jankovic stole possession from Babic, charged forward and took a close range shot wide of the far post, another great opportunity missed

`10: 18m attempt from Causic over the bar

`11: Another NR Miletic`s throw into the box, Ricardo heads it for Pantic but keeper Borjan claims the ball

`17: Ricardo passes it to the right for Pantic followed by angled drive wide by the far post

`21: Edge of the box shot from NR Miletic and uncomfortable save from Borjan

`26: 18m shot from Rodic dealt by Stojkovic

`33: 1-0, PARTIZAN!! Poor back pass from Boakye, Ricardo steals possession and charges forward followed by edge of the area left-footed brilliant finish

`35: Ricardo`s cross, Zakaric`s header saved by Borjan

`40; Partizan counter-attack, Jankovic plays it for Ricardo but Degenek clears it for a Partizan corner-kick

`43: Zdjelar cautioned

`44: long range drive from Ricardo saved by the keeper

`45: Two mins added time

`45+2: Half-time whistle

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS

`46: Jovancic in for Causic

`52: CROSSBAR! Woodwork comes to CZ rescue after brilliant long range drive from Pantic

`58: Edge of the box shot from Cafu saved by Stojkovic

`60: Krsticic cautioned

`61: Simic in for Cafu

`68: Partizan corner-kick, couple of rebounds in the 6-yard box, Borjan manages to get hold of the ball on the goalline

`71: Deep ball into the box for unmarked Ben but his difficult header was comfortably saved by Stojkovic

`72: 1-1, CRVENA ZVEZDA! CZ Corner-kick, close range header from Boakye, Stojkovic saved it on the goalline but ref`s assistant by the goalline signals ball crossed the line. Dubious decision

`79: Jankovic in need of a treatment

`80: Nikolic in for Ricardo

`81: Kosovic in for Jankovic

`84: Nikolic`s pass, angled shot from Kosovic saved by the keeper

`86: Gobeljic in for Rodic

`88: Urosevic in for NG Miletic

`90: Zakaric cautioned

`90: Three mins stoppage time

`90+3: Final whistle

Partizan boss Zoran Mirkovic after the game:

– Credits to my players, they were up to the level required for such top game. We were better opposition, created a lot of opportunities and I can only regret we didn`t win it. This game showed us a path we should take but we need to have continuity to get higher.

My boys were excellent, they showed great desire, determination, fighting spirit and discipline. I can be pleased with everything apart from final score.

We were aggressive, something we lacked in previous games. We were tight in block, had lots of opportunities but scored a single goal. Lots of bad things were said about Partizan players ahead of this match and I think some should have more respect for this club. Don`t bet against Partizan in the future.

As for Crvena Zvezda goal…Well, ref`s mistakes happen too often, not only against Partizan, week in week out we see people complaining, teams and coaches wanting to leave the park, people departing Serbian football scene..If humans are unable to see certain things, let`s have this VAR technology, I`m up for it.