Partizan – Crvena zvezda 1:2 (0:1)
Stadium: Partizan
Referee: Nenad Minaković
Scorers: Milosevic 74 – Elsnik 28, Radonjic 60
Partizan: M. Miloševic, Roganovic, Simic (84 Jovanovic), Milic, Jurčevic, Dragojevic (46 Karabelyov), Ugresic (61 Natho), Seck, Vukotic, Trifunovic (61 A. Kostic), J. Milosevic (80 Zahid).
Crvena zvezda: Mateus, Seol, Lekovic, Veljkovic, Tiknizjan (46 Stankovic), Hendel (81 Rodrigao), Elsnik, Kostov, Ivanic, Katai (59 Radonjic), Arnautovic (72 Duarte).
Partizan were defeated by Crvena zvezda in the 177th “Eternal Derby,” played in front of 26,254 fans at the Partizan Stadium, with the match starting with a minute of silence in honor of the recently deceased Dejan Milovanovic – 1:2 (0:1).
The Black and Whites played an excellent match in which they deserved much more than defeat. For the most part, head coach Srdjan Blagojevic’s tactical setup worked very well, and both goals conceded came during periods when Partizan were dominant.
They had two big chances at 0:0, with Jovan Milosevic and Mario Jurcevic coming close, but it was Crvena zvezda who struck first through Timi Max Elsnik in the 28th minute.
In the second half, Partizan continued to impress even after Radonjic doubled the visitors’ lead in the 60th minute. Far from giving up, the young home side pushed harder, and in the 74th minute Jovan Milosevic pulled one back.
The closing stages were played entirely on Zvezda’s half, with Partizan mounting relentless pressure, but the finishing touch was missing. Despite the loss, the players left the pitch to songs and ovations from their fans, recognizing the quality and spirit shown in the derby.
