Mozzart Bet Serbian Super LIga, round 3 fixture
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 8pm CET
Referee: Milos Minakovic
Yellow cards: Djurdjevic, Arriaga (PAR) – Mitrovic, Ezeh, Blagojevic (ZLN)
Red cards: Romanic
GOALS: 1-0 `13 Markovic, 2-0 `39 Jovanovic
Teams:
PARTIZAN
A Jovanovic, Djurdjevic (`58 Stjepanovic), Markovic, Mujakic, Antic, Arriaga, Zahid (`71 Goh), Natcho (`59 Lazarevic), Trifunovic, Severina (`78 Grimaldo), D Jovanovic (`71 Nikolic)
ZELEZNICAR
Popovic, Yusif (`25 Blagojevic), Milikic, Milunovic, Djuricic, Ezeh (`75 Cvetkovic), Knezevic, Mitrovic (`75 Milosavljevic), Curic (`53 Lokosa), Jovanovic (`53 Grgic), Romanic
Beograd, August 4
Partizan beat Zeleznicar 2-0 at home to achieve “three out of three” in the opening stages of the domestic season and tops the standings as a result. Our team is also yet to concede.
Boss Stanojevic named almost the same line-up as in the previous league outing. The only change occurred on the left-back position with Antic coming in for Jurcevic who suffered minor injury midweek. Latest signing Grimaldo made it to the bench.
After a slow start, it was Djordje Jovanovic who sent a difficult header wide after a cross from Trifunovic.
Partizan took the lead from a first shot on target. Natcho sent a corner-kick ball into the heart of the box where Markovic managed to get a head to it and score an opener. 1-0, Partizan.
Fine Partizan build-up in 16 with Arriaga sending a pinpoint diagonal ball for Antic followed by a fine cross and defensive clearance ahead fo charging Djordje Jovanovic.
Partizan keeper Jovanovic made a fine near-post save from Romanic after a tricky low corner-kick ball. Visitors had a great opportunity on 31 when Knezevic headed the ball off the ground and towards the top right corner of the net for keeper Jovanovic to make a brilliant tip-of-the-finger save.
Partizan doubled the lead on 39. Antic sent a pinpoint cross for Djordje Jovanovic who out jumped his marker and head the ball in. 2-0, Partizan.
Just before the half-time whistle, unmarked Arriaga was in a good position to shoot inside the box but he failed to control the ball and crown his good first half performance.
Both team showed attacking intentions early in the second half but it was Zeleznicar who had couple of opportunities early after the restart. Nikolic`s low angled drive was comfortably saved by Jovanovic on 49 and visitors sent a header wide as well.
On 54, Djordje Jovanovic sent the ball wide his edge of the box effort and after one of the many trademark through passes from Natcho.
Natcho was soon subbed by Lazarevic while Stjepanovic came in for Djurdjevic just before the hour mark.
VAR was in action on 69 after alleged foul on Ezeh inside the box but it was clear there was no foul play after the review.
On, 71, Goh and Nikolic came in for Zahid and Djordje Jovanovic while latest signing Grimaldo entered the field on 78 for Severina and to the ovation from the stands.
After only a couple of touches, winger Grimaldo showed he could be a great addition to this squad.
Visitors suffered a blow on 85 when Romanic was sent-off for his careless and late sliding tackle on Nikolic.
However, they did get a lifeline on 89 as Zeleznicar was given the penalty-kick after the VAR review as it showed Arriaga fouled Grgic inside the box.
However, keeper Jovanovic made a penalty save to keep a third clean sheet in three opening games of the domestic season.
Partizan will play Swiss side Lugano on Thursday, for a UEFA Europa League round 3 qualifier first leg fixture.
