UEFA EL: Partizan v AEK Larnaca preview

Partizan is home to AEK Larnaca on Thursday (9pm CET kick-off) for a return leg of UEFA Europa League round 3 qualifier. AEK won home leg 2-1.

TEAM NEWS

Newcomer Andrija Pavlovic didn`t recover from minor injury he picked up ahead of the first leg.

Partizan boss Ilija Stolica ahead of AEK Larnaca home:

“We entered the first leg in a fine fashion and first 30 minutes of the game were good pointers but the goals change things. AEK scored from their first shot on target and we found ourselves disrupted. We worked on those aspects of the game but I don`t thing return leg will be anything like the one in Cyprus. But, our attitude, energy and approach over the first 30 mins of the first match are a model we strive for.

We are trying to get ready for any possible outcome, even for the penalty shoot-out which is more of a psychological matter than technical. Our task is to prepare our team psychologically and we need to reach team stability.

We also need to enter the game in a relaxed manner. Actually, it turns out that games played under a lot of pressure are easiest to play. We need to play our game in a best way we can. It will be hard, especially if we allow it to the opponent and I hope we won`t. We play against one good team but we know we are a better side and I cannot wait for this game to start, so that we can finish it the way we want.