Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga, round 11
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 6.30pm
Referee: Predrag janjus
Yellow Cards: Zahid (PAR) – Vasic (TEK)
GOALS: 1-0 `39 Zubairu, 1-1 `45+1 Davidovic, 2-1 `52 Natcho, 3-1 `61 Zahid, 4-1 `89 Nikolic
Teams:
PARTIZAN
A Jovanovic, Filipovic, Ilic, Mujakic, Antic, Owusu, Natcho (Kovac 71), Zubairu (Trifunovic 84), Zahid (Fuhrer 84), Grimaldo (Kalulu 60), D Jovanovic (Nikolic 71)
TEKSTILAC
Brac, Davidovic, Sredojevic, Marjanovic, Lukovic, Jocic (Vasic HT), Marcic (Djuric 56), Skrobonja, Kodzic (Ilic 78), Stojanovic (Obeng 65), Ukachukwu (Skrbic 65)
Belgrade, September 5
Partizan achieved second league win in a row, a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Tekstilac.
New boss Savo Milosevic picked Grimaldo for a left-wing role, Natcho was in from the start while Ilic recovered to make it to the starting line-up.
Partizan dominated possession from the go while visitors opted for mostly counter-attacking game.
First Partizan good opportunity occurred on 3 after Antic`s sharp cross into the 6-yard box and Grimaldo`s touch for keeper to make instinctive foot-save.
On 10, lively Zubairu sent a return ball for Zahid whose poor left-footed drive ended well wide.
Four mins later, Zahid sent a measured edge of the box strike just wide after a great left side break and return ball from Grimaldo.
Zahid was booked on 25 after a bit of verbal with the ref while he was centre of the attention on 28 too, but this time Zubairu`s return ball didn`t bode well for Zahid who still managed to shot but well wide of the target.
To his satisfaction, Zahid was central in Partizan opener as he sent a brilliant pass to Zubairu during Partizan counter-attack for right winger to calmly slot the ball under the keeper and into the net. 1-0, Partizan!
Forward Jovanovic missed a clear-cut opportunity on 43 after trademark brilliant through ball from Natcho. Jovanovic rushed to shot and keeper made a foot-save. Grimaldo was lurking unmarked to Jovanovic`s left, a pass would almost certaintly lead to Partizan`s second.
Unfortunately and for the second time in a row, Partizan conceded a penalty-kick late in the first half. This time, the culprit was Antic, who instinctively caught the ball with his for referee to point at the spot after the VAR review. Davidovic sent keeper Jovanovic to his left while who smashed the ball into the middle of the goal. 1-1, Tekstilac.
Zubairu managed to score a goal before half-time and what a beauty it was but it was disallowed for offside after another VAR review.
Partizna unlucky not to have a comfortable lead at half-time.
Our boys did make it 2-1 seven minutes after the restart. Grimaldo broke forward on the right flank and sent a cross into the box which was cleared towards the edge of the box where the ball was met by Natcho who sent a shot off the ground and into the left corner of the net for a deserved 2-1 Partizan lead.
Zubairu kept tormenting visitors on a counter-attack but Partizan lacked final pass in those moments before and around hour mark.
Grimaldo was subbed by Kalulu on 60 after being awfully elbowed by Vasic. Some thought it was worthy a red, not just a yellow card.
Minute later, sub Kalulu set Zahid up for a Partizan third. Zahid stretched in the box to sent a top-of-the-boot low strike into the bottom right corner of the net. 3-1, Partizan.
On 71, Kovac came in for Natcho while Nikolic subbed D Jovanovic.
More right side breaks from Zubairu followed while Partizan keeper Jovanovic had to be alerted on 81 to push one uncomfortable ball over the bar.
On 84, 18-year-old Paco Furher made his first cameo appearance for Partizan subbing Zubairu while Trifunovic came in for Zahid.
Furher made an instant impact toying with number of Tekstilac defenders down the left flank. His header on 89 opened space for Trifunovic who sent a pinpoint pass for unmarked Nikolic in the box followed by emphatic first-touch strike for a 4-1 Partizan lead and final score.
Partizan now leaped to 5th place in the standings with two games in hand in regard to three out of four top four sides.
After the international break, Partizan will play four tough encounters, starting with away game to Novi Pazar.
