Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga, previously postponed round 6 game
Venue: Gradski stadion, Subotica
Kick-off time: 4.30pm CET
Referee: Milan Mitic
Yellow cards: Mijailovic, Vitorovic (SPA) – Ilic, Kalulu, Ugresic (PAR)
GOALS: 0-1 `17 Nikolic, 1-1 `24 Tomovic, 2-1 `55 Ubiparip
Teams:
SPARTAK
Vulic, Bogicevic, Kolaric, Mijailovic (Kerkez 90+1), Pereira, Vitorovic, Babic, Mijic, Prijovic, Tomovic, Ubiparip (Ebuka 90+1)
PARTIZAN
A Jovanovic, Filipovic, Arriaga, Ilic, Mujakic, Stjepanovic (D Jovanovic 85), Jankovic (Ugresic 60), Natcho, Kalulu (Fuhrer 74), Zubairu (Trifunovic 60), Nikolic
Subotica, Dec 12
Partizan ended three-match winning streak and suffered a first defeat in almost three months after suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Spartak.
Caretaker boss Marko Jovanovic made one starting line-up change from the last weekend`s league game – Stjepanovic was in for Scekic at the defensive midfield department.
Home side made a brighter start and created a number of opportunities early in the game. On 7, uncomfortable drop-kick from Prijovic was saved by keeper Jovanovic, Spartak player also sent a couple of shot s wide while Babic close range effort on 13 was blocked by Ilic for a home side corner-kick.
On 16, Mijailovic received first booking of the game after making a late tackle on Zubiaru who made a promising left flank run. Partizan took the lead from the resulting set-piece. Natcho sent a sharp ball into the box for Nikolic to head the ball into the net for his second goal in as many games, fourth this season. Spartak 0, Partizan 1.
Nikolic was close to score a brace on 22. Filipovic sent a fine right side cross for Nikolic to miss the target from close range.
Spartak equalized on 24 after a fine left-side break from Babic and shot from Tomovic inside the box which deflected of Arriaga to trick keeper Jovanovic. Spartak 1, Partizan 1.
Babic scored for Spartak on 28 but his goal was disallowed for offside and the same thing happened on 34 when Nikolic scored for Partizan on the other end of the field.
Ilic had a great opportunity just before the half-time whistle but he sent the ball wide from close range.
Three minutes into the second half, Ubiparip sent the ball wide from close range followed by 14m drive from Nikolic over the bar on 50. Minute later, Spartak`s Pereira did a good job to clear the danger before Nikolic was able to strike the ball.
Spartak made a full comeback on 55. Ubiparip sneaked in between two Partizan defenders and scored a goal inside the box with another bit of deflection from Arriaga.
Boss Jovanovic reacted with two subs on the hour mark – Ugresic and Trifunovic came in for Zubairu and Jankovic, while Kalulu was subbed by Furher on 74.
After taking the lead, Spartak pulled back in number and Partizan players found it hard to break home side`s defensive lines. Subs Ugresic and Fuhrer sent a number of shots wide and that was the closest Partizan came to scoring.
Spartak opted to counter-attack and they were close to score in stoppage time but keeper Jovanovic made a trademark save from Babic.
Partizan remains second-placed, 5 points ahead of third-placed Mladost and 12 points adrift of the league leaders.
Our team will play penultimate league game before winter break on Sunday, home to IMT.
