Hope undiminished for Partizan

By Aleksandar Boskovic

A 2-2 draw at home against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk has left FK Partizan on the back foot as they aim to win their way through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. The Serbo-Montenegrin side led twice through goals from Nigerian debutant Obiora Odita, but were pegged back by the determined Ukrainian side.

Death knell
For some, those two away goals are the death knell for Partizan, but not coach Vladimir Vermezovic. "As the coach of a club like Partizan I simply have to think positively," he told uefa.com. "We did not lose. We have scored two goals and have earned the right to hope for a win in Ukraine."

'Positive vibrations'
The former Partizan player and Yugoslavian international thinks his side still have the self-belief to overturn the odds on Thursday night. "Each and every one believes that they will reach the last 16," he said. "A coach must be happy when he sees these positive vibrations amongst players."

Individual mistakes
The 42-year-old thought that individual mistakes at the back had cost his side last time, saying: "When the pitch is in a poor condition, as it was in Belgrade and, most probably, as it will be in Ukraine, than you cannot afford hesitation in the last line of defence."

Initial target
By reaching the last 32, Vermazovic reached the target that had been set for his team at the start of their UEFA Cup campaign. However, while he took some comfort in having achieved this initial objective, the former Partizan defender was longing for further success.

Next step
"It was 15 years ago that we played in the European competitions in the spring, when I was still a Partizan player," he said. "We will not get an opportunity like this every day. That is why I am highly motivated to take us a step further - to begin with this one step, no matter how hard it is."

Mystery plans
Since taking over as coach, Vermezovic has relied on a 4-5-1 formation, however, he insists that his tactics will not hamper Partizan in Ukraine, saying: "The intentions of a team cannot be judged solely by the number of attackers. If I change anything, it will stay secret until the start of the match."

No secret
One thing that is no longer a secret is how Dnipro play, and Vermezovic, who coached Partizan's youth teams and was assistant to former coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic from 2000 to 2002, is sure that he can use this knowledge to his advantage in the return leg.

Dnipro rhythm
"They are very solid, and this is worrying," he said. "Their hallmark is that they are always playing in the same style. There are very few things that could knock them out of rhythm. That is why I am looking for a fast and coordinated game from my side because it is the only way to stop Dnipro."

Main priority
With the Serbo-Montenegrin season yet to restart after the long winter break, the UEFA Cup is Partizan's main priority at the moment. However, they are keen to maintain their lead over neighbours FK Crvena Zvezda and return to the Champions League, where they reached the group stage last season.

Taking part
"We learned a lot and we matured a lot," said Vermezovic, who took over at Partizan following the departure of German coach Lothar Matthäus, who had led them into the group stage. "Experience is very important. Then we were happy to participate, but now we are looking for more."