Partizan is home to OFK Beograd on Saturday (6pm CET kick-off) as part of Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga round 32 (play-off round 2) fixtures.
H2H
OFK Beograd is back in top-flight after six seasons spent at second and third-tier. This season, Partizan lost 3-2 away to OFK while winning home corresponding fixture 4-1.
TEAM NEWS
Nemanja Nikolic (coach`s decision) is not available for selection. Ibrahim Zubairu (ankle) is out for the rest of the season.
Partizan boss Srdjan Blagojevic`s presser ahead of OFK home:
-We had a bit of a break after the derby game and we were able to recuperate, analyze the derby match itself and start thinking about the next opponent. OFK is third-placed on the standings; they have a very good roster selection, a physically powerful team with technical and tactical quality in place as well. OFK is this season`s sensation number one, playing all their games away and winning lots of top opponents. All said, it`s clear how hard it`s going to be for us tomorrow. But, we will be very motivated although we are close to secure runners-up spot mathematically and we will do if we win tomorrow, so there`s no lack of motivation at all. Even if there`s no competitive angle to it, Partizan players need to be motivated at all times. On their behalf, OFK will be motivated and I have no doubts about it – playing against Partizan alone is enough.
Boss Blagojevic on Nemanja Nikolic…
“We spoke a lot and we reached a conclusion together that he is not ready to meet the demands and principles we are based on here. It`s better if he trains aside from the team, we agreed on it. There`s no s conflict there, we always had good relationship but we need to do our job in a right manner regardless of all the troubles we are facing with”.
Blagojevic on his future with the club…
“I spoke to the management and their stance is understandable, They are caretaker management and not able to make long-term deals with the coaches and players. I`m here to help the club but I don`t know what future holds for me. I`m solely focused on doing my job the best I can”.
Blagojevic on Partizan youngsters…
“We are presenting them with playing opportunities for some time now. Five of them started the derby game while we had a total of eight of them on the field away in Kragujevac. It`s the club`s strategy – focusing on academy players. But, we also have more experienced players who contribute hugely, helping this club stabilize and helping the young talent grow. Vanja Dragojevic was not with us during winter preps and he wasn`t in the roster when I started my job here. But, communicating with a coaching team, we reached a conclusion he should be tested and he is out there now. It`s the route all young players should take, the more the merrier. Then again, it`s impossible to have ten youngsters on the field, due to club`s overall ambitions.
