Partizan played second friendly of Antalya preps, drawing two-all against Czech top-tier side Dukla.
Boss Srdjan Blagojevic planned his starting line-up to play up to the hour mark but three injuries to his starters affected his ideas.
Ibrahim Zubairu was first to pick up an injury. Before being subbed, Zubairu assisted to Kalulu for Partizan opener on 8 and minute later scored a goal himself to double the lead. Zubairu left the pitch just after the hour-an-hour mark followed by Mujakic who had to depart the pitch for the same reasons. Early in the second half, right-back Roganovic had to be subbed too due to injury problem. The level of injuries of all three players is yet to be determined.
These injuries fully disrupted Partizan playing concept and this friendly turned into a game of tough tackles and many cautions – something our players were not ready for in physical terms.
But, it`s all part of the mid-season training package and we are sure our boys will find this useful once the season resumes. More importantly, let`s hope there`ll be no long-term injuries once the team returns to Belgrade.
Partizan performance after the break was not as good as the one in the first half and Dukla halved the deficit from the spot followed by a lucky equalizer.
There will be three days of training before Partizan plays another friendly of Antalya – a meeting with Bulgarian top-tier side Hebar 1918 next Thursday followed by Friday`s friendly against Polish top-tier team Jagiellonia on Friday. Squad returns to Belgrade next Saturday, Jan 25.
Partizan starting line-up:
Jovanovic, Roganovic, Ilic, Mujakic, Jurcevic, Stjepanovic, Kovac, Natcho, Kalulu, Zubairu, Nikolic.
Also played: Krunic, D Jovanovic, Fuhrer, Petrovic, Ugresic, Goh, Jankovic, Alilovic, Filipovic, Simic, Sehovic/
