UEFA Europa Conference League play-off stage, first leg
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 8.15pm CET
Referee: Elchin Masiyev (AZE)
Yellow cards: Jurcevic, Markovic, Lazarevic (PAR) – Brown, Fernandez-Pardo, Dean, Kums, Torunarigha (GNT)
GOALS: 0-1 `16 Gandelman
Teams:
PARTIZAN
Jovanovic, de Medina, Markovic, Mujakic, Jurcevic, Arriaga, Zahid (Natcho 75), Goh (Kovac 22), Severina (Lazarevic 75), Zubairu (Grimaldo 64), Saldanha ( D Jovanovic 64)
K.A.A GENT
Roef, Gambor, Mitrovic, Torunarigha, Brown (Fortuna HT), Kums (Gerkens 90+3), Delorge-Knieper, Gandelman, Fadiga (Samoise 67), Surdez (Dean 67), Gudjohnsen (Fernandez-Pardo HT)
Belgrade, August 22
Partizan was unfortunate to suffer another European home defeat, losing 1-0 to K.A.A Gent after missing a number of good opportunities.
Boss Stanojevic made only one starting line-up change compared to previous European outing – Saldanha was back upfront at the expense of Kalulu.
Partizan made a bright start. After two promising attacks in the first 60 seconds, Saldanha had two great opportunities 30 seconds within each other. On 5, Gent goalie made a poor pass, Zahid intercepted the ball and played it for unmarked Saldanha whose shot was not trademark accurate and keeper Roef made amends for his previous mistake. Seconds later, Partizan was on a break, Saldanha opted to finish it himself but he sent the ball just wide with his 19m effort.
Gent replied on 12 when unmarked Gandelman was inches short to head the ball towards the net from close range. Same player did the job on 16 after poor Partizan marking allowed neat right side cross while Gandelman managed to outjump his markers on the far post to head the ball in. 1-0, Gent.
Mujakic`s semi-volley inside the box was comfortably saved by Roef on 18 while Partizan ahd to make forced sub on 22 as Goh picked up an injury, making way for debutant Kovac, Partizan latest acquisition.
After a relatively quiet period, with Gent dominating possession, Saldanha sent an angled shot wide on 40, while Zahid saw his promising shot blocked on 44.
In the second half, it was all about Saldanha again. On 58, Arriaga sent a trademark pinpoint long ball to the right wing for Severina who passed it equally good for Saldanha who blasted the ball over the bar with his effort inside the box. Yet another great opportunity for Brazilian forward.
Few mins later, Saldanha looked in pain and was subbed by D Jovanovic, while Grimaldo came in for Zubairu.
Two final subs were made on 75 – Natcho and Lazarevic coming in for Zahid and Severina. Minute later and after trademark pass from Natcho, makeshift right winger Lazarevic had a great opportunity to alter the score but he blasted the ball over the bar, unmarked inside the box.
Partizan had final great opportunity on 90, but Gent keeper managed to save close range attempt from D Jovanovic.
Reverse fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28. Partizan postponed another SSL weekend fixture to get rest for Gent away.
