Partizan 1-2 TSC
Stadium: Partizan Stadium
Referee: Nenad Minakovic
Goals: Natho 59’ – Stanic 64’, 81’
Partizan lineup: A. Jovanovic, Roganovic, Filipovic, Ilic, Jurcevic, Dragojevic, Kovac (83’ Alilovic), Kalulu (78’ Goh), Natho, Trifunovic (73’ Vukotic), Ugresic (83’ D. Jovanovic)
Coach: Srdjan Blagojevic
TSC lineup: Simic, St. Jovanovic, Degenek, Capan, Krstic (84’ Djordjevic), Radin, Pejic (60’ Savic), Sa. Jovanovic, Stanic (90’ Todorovski), Prestige (84’ Sos), Pantovic (90’ Lazetic)
Coach: Slavko Matic
Partizan’s first team suffered a home defeat against TSC in round 5 of the Mozzart Bet SuperLiga Serbia play-offs – 1:2 (0:0).
For over an hour, Srdjan Blagojevic’s players controlled the tempo and dictated the action on the pitch, while the visitors mainly threatened through set pieces. Partizan had more possession and territorial dominance, which paid off in the 59th minute when Bibras Natho scored.
It’s fair to say that the Israeli midfielder was lucky – the ball ricocheted off him and into the net following a defensive clearance – but the goal was well deserved given Partizan’s dominance. However, what they lacked was composure to hold onto the lead.
A brief lapse in concentration allowed Petar Stanic to strike twice, in the 64th and 81st minutes, turning the match around and emerging as the hero for TSC. Partizan pushed hard for an equalizer, throwing everything forward, but despite their efforts and energy, they couldn’t level the score.
Natho had a golden opportunity in the final minute, but his shot went straight at the TSC goalkeeper. All three points went to the visitors from Backa Topola.
