Serbian Cup: Vojvodina v Partizan preview

Partizan is away to Vojvodina (Wednesday, 7.05pm CET kick-off) as part of Serbian Cup semi-final one-legged ties. Last season, two sides met in a cup final – Vojvodina won the trophy on penalties after full-time 2-2 draw and goalless extra-time.

H2H (last six in the league)

Partizan 3, Vojvodina 3, Drawn 0. Gd: 12-8, Partizan

TEAM NEWS

Keeper Nemanja Stevanovic is still on the road to recovery. Bahebeck, Soumah and Svetozar Markovic are all doubtful.

Partizan boss Aleksandar Stanojevic ahead of cup semi:

-As Partizan, we have our duties towards fans only, we are not there for revenge or to prove ourselves. We play as a result of our desires, that`s our only motivation. Therefore, last five matches against Vojvodina are part of our cup game preps. I watched Vojvodina on several occasions, to see how their boss thinks, how their players behave. Vojvodina deserves respect, they won two previous home fixtures against Partizan. We won last home game against them but this is one-legged cup game – you risk more than you usually do. This is going to be one different encounter, I expect more energy and competitiveness.

We all know what this games is about, everything is possible. I hope for a positive outcome. We practiced penalties and we are ready for any kind of outcome. We know who will take penalties if it comes to it.

Vojvodina boss Lalatovic is great motivator, serious coach with great results. I`m interested in how he wins flank and other ball possessions, how he enters and “reads” the game, I`m not thinking about his temperament.

We are ready for this one. It will be a quality game. We play fine football game, it`s our duty to have quality and positive results. Everything matters when you are Partizan. Imagine we lost last weekend to Macva, you would understand how important that game was. At the end of the season, we`ll see if everything we do has any future purpose.

There are doubts, but I know my starting line-up. Soumah has a muscle trouble and I don`t even know if he is to travel with us. We hope Svetozar Markovic will be able to play, he trained as normal on Monday. However, we can handle things with any possible absentees. Ostojic deputized for Markovic quite well. Obradovic did great on the left flank although we can opt for Urosevic on the left-back for tactical reasons.

Once the season`s over, we`ll see if we have the right strategy or not.  We`ll draw the line and look at everything we`ve done. You can win cup trophy and to have dissatisfaction around, people to say this is not the right path. I take my job seriously, I`m not going to allow judgements on three games only.

Photo gallery: Miroslav Todorovic