Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga, rescheduled round 9 fixture
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 6pm CET
Referee: Nenad Minakovic
Yellow cards: Nikolic, Jovanovic (PAR) – Mijatovic (CZ)
GOALS: 1-0 `41 Natcho (p), 2-0 `66 Saldanha, 2-1 `71 Ndiaye
Teams:
PARTIZAN
Jovanovic, Stojkovic, Ilic, Markovic, Antic, Stjepanovic, Belic, Natcho (`69 Severina), Zahid, Kalulu (`79 Nikolic), Saldanha (`89 Scekic)
CRVENA ZVEZDA
Glazer, Nedeljkovic (`67 Ndiaye), Spajic, Dragovic, Rodic, Mijailovic (`HT Kanga), Hwang (`89 Krasso), Bukari, Katai, Olayinka (`HT Lucic), Mijatovic
Belgrade, December 20
Partizan won bitter rivals Crvena Zvezda 2-1 to go back to the top of the standings ahead of the winter break.
With Kanoute injured and Scekic not fully fit, boss Igor Duljaj opted for youngster Stjepanovic in defensive midfield while the rest of the starting line-up was as expected.
Up to the 20-minute mark, it was Partizan creating opportunities. Belic sent the ball over the bar on 10 followed by two chances for Natcho. Finally, Saldanha was closest to score after Kalulu`s initing ball into the 6-yard box but Brazilian forward failed to beat keeper Glazer from close range.
Crvena Zvezda took over after the 20-minute mark and missed number of opportunities as well. Jovanovic saved MIjatovic`s tricky 21st minute low effort while the same player saw his goal disallowed on 26 after being offside. Markovic headed the ball off the goal line from Olayinka on 31 while Bukari`s low angled effort 4 mins later went wide off the far post.
Visitors 15-minute domination was stopped on 37 after Rodic`s careless tackle on Stojkovic inside the box and VAR confirmation of a penalty-kick.
Natcho easily beat his compatriot between the posts for a Partizan 1-0 lead.
Crvena Zvezda rushed forward after the break leaving a lot of space at the back for Partizan attackers. On 56 and after a break from Kalulu and fine pass from Saldanha, Zahid sent a ball just wide of target.
Soon after, Saldanha made a great solo run followed by a return ball and Zahid`s close range effort which was bravely blocked by Dragovic.
On 66, Zahid made a great run followed by a killer pass for Saldanha who beat Glazer with his clinical angled low effort and Partizan 2-0 lead.
Jovanovic saved from Mijatovic on 68 but couldn`t do much on 71 after a low right side inviting ball from Bukari and close range tap-in from sub Ndiaye.
Partizan keeper made a brilliant save on 79, preventing Kanga`s goal from free-kick effort.
On the other side of the field, Partizan sub Nikolic had a clear-cut opportunity to beat Glazer but sent the ball over the bar with his lob effort.
CZ youngster Mijatovic scored another offside goal on 85 and deep into injury time Katai headed the ball over the bar from close range.
With this win, Partizan is back on top going into the winter break. Season will restart in February with Partizan one point ahead of bitter rival Crvena Zvezda.
