Matthäus departure rocks champions

The first half of the domestic Prva Liga season in Serbia and Montenegro finished yesterday with champions FK Partizan still rocking from the resignation of coach Lothar Matthäus.

Major surprise
The former German international's decision to accept the post of coach of Hungary's national team was a major surprise. His contract was due to run until June 2005 and he had been highly successful and popular in Belgrade, leading the club to the championship and the UEFA Champions League group stage. Furthermore, he had always maintained he was "happy in Serbia and Montenegro", last month he married and he had been busy making plans for winter training.

Cup quarter-finals
Matthäus leaves with the club in second position in the Prva Liga, only three points behind leaders FK Crvena Zvezda and safely in the quarter finals of the National Cup and even without him the battle for the title between the country's two leading clubs should be intense.

UEFA Cup elimination
To date, Crvena Zvezda have won 22 championships to Partizan's 18, as well as 18 cups and, famously, the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1991. However, although they have been playing the best football in Serbia and Montenegro this season, Rosenborg BK eliminated them in the second round of the UEFA Cup.

Dominant Zigic
Crvena Zvezda started the league campaign with a 2-1 reverse against newcomers FK Napredak in Krusevac but have since played brilliantly, losing just once more and deservedly beating Partizan 3-0 in the Belgrade derby. Striker Nikola Zigic has been in sensational form, scoring 13 goals in 14 league matches and a further six in Europe. Midfield player Bojan Djordjic, on loan from Manchester United FC, has also strengthened the side.

Muslin satisfaction
However, the club's defence has arguably been the key to their success, with just six goals conceded in 15 matches. Captain Nemanja Vidic is having a brilliant season alongside Milan Dudic in central defence and it is no wonder coach Slavoljub Muslin is so satisifed at present. "I'm glad with our results," he said recently. "My team is very young and the supporters must have patience. The most important thing is that we have winning characteristics and we will continue along that route. Zvezda need titles and our duties are to be the best. I believe in that."

Other positions
Cup holders FK Sartid, are in third position and only five points off the summit, while FK Železnik are fourth and OFK Beograd fifth. Newcomers FK Borac Cacak, FK Kom and Napredak have all had their problems and occupy three of the bottom four places, but the fourth promoted team, FK Buducnost Banatski Dvor, have had a successful first season in the top flight so far and are in mid-table. The season resumes on 21 February.