EL play-off: Partizan v Besiktas preview

Partizan is home to Besiktas on Thursday evening as part of EL play-off first leg fixtures. Game kicks-off at 8.30pm CET. Game`s referee is Ivan Kruzliak from Slovakia.

Partizan boss Zoran Mirkovic on Besiktas match:

– We have insider info on Besiktas, today`s football game is all about information. I`m in touch with people who live in Istanbul but there`s no much secrets about this tie – they know all about us too.

We are playing against one big team, players on their roster have won world and European titles. It`s a team of champions coached by Senol Gunes, enough said really. It`s going to be hard but we are not giving up on Europa League and we`ll keep fighting to get there. We know how to stand up to Besiktas .

I`m not scared of the opponent nor I`m scared of our possible defects. This is a sport, a game. A feast of football and that`s what I`m trying to explain to my players. Our form consists of ups and downs but we are trying to pick it up day by day and to build confidence around. You can`t have fears in this job. We see our opportunity and we know what to do and how to stand up to Besiktas. Are we going to succeed? We`ll see in seven days time.

Holding midfielder Milan Smiljanic:

– I expect positive result and I hope we`ll manage to keep clean sheet. We always have troubles when we concede. I`m not going to talk about individual players from Besiktas as they are quality team overall. We must not rush things tomorrow or enter the game thinking we are better side. Besiktas plays attacking football and we should try to prevent them from enjoying themselves.

They are a team of big stars and we have to be clever and seize any opportunites we have. Besiktas is favourite to win this tie  but I think we are capable of achieving success.

Partizan in European competitions 1945-2018