Partizan pick a path past Sheriff
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Article summary
FK Partizan are already eyeing the group stage despite having at least three more games to play to get there.
Article body
By Aleksandar Boskovic
Serbo-Montenegrin champions FK Partizan already have one eye on the UEFA Champions League group stage after receiving a favourable draw for the third qualifying round.
Sheriff showdown
If Partizan see off Moldovan side FC Sheriff this evening they will face FC Artmedia Bratislava, 5-4 aggregate winners against Celtic FC after a dramatic tie, for a place at European football's top table. Partizan take a 1-0 lead to Tiraspol thanks to a strike from Nigerian forward Obiora Odita, but will have to maintain their focus to avoid an arresting reverse.
Looking forward
Despite his protestations, Partizan coach Vladimir Vermezović is looking beyond Sheriff to the next round. "Today I am completely focused on the second leg in Tiraspol. However, I am satisfied with the result of the draw."
'Favourites' tag
Despite the Slovakian side's home heroics last week when they beat Celtic 5-0, Partizan would start as favourites against them, a fact Vermezović acknowledged before the draw was made. "If we play Artmedia, I think we will have a great chance of success. Slovakian football has emerged on to the European scene in the last few years, so I am not surprised by their result."
'Luck on our side'
Sporting director Nenad Bjeković, a former Partizan legend of the 1970s, reacted even more bullishly to Friday’s draw: "At last, luck is on our side. I believe we will be better than Sheriff and will play against the Slovakians. We have a great chance to make our dream come true."
Early goal
Vermezović will be without suspended midfielder Ivan Tomić in Moldova, while Nemanja Rnić will not play again in 2005 after breaking his right fibula. Even without them, the game plan is to get on the scoresheet early with a precious away goal and leave Sheriff needing three to go through. "We must score at least one goal as soon as possible. If we do, the Moldovans’ morale will plummet," said Vermezović.
Partizan outmuscled
Partizan last reached the group stage in 2003/04. The side then coached by Lothar Matthäus acquitted themselves well, drawing three of their six games although were muscled out by Real Madrid CF, eventual winners FC Porto and UEFA Cup finalists Olympique de Marseille.
1991 triumph
Serbo-Montenegrin sides have failed to make a serious impact in Europe's premier competition in recent years. Their last representation in the last eight came in 1992, when FK Crvena Zvezda narrowly missed out on the final. The Belgrade side's 1991 European Champion Clubs' Cup final victory over Marseille remains a high point in the country's football history.
'All that matters'
International defender Niša Saveljić voiced his desire to get a taste of the Champions League proper with Partizan: "Our target is the Champions League and that is all that matters." But premature dreams of group phase glory can spell danger, particularly with progression against Sheriff far from certain.
