Not my write-up but excellent...
Real Madrid will host Champions League debutants, Partizan Belgrade in the 3rd round of the group stage, looking to make it 3 out of 3 in this competition.
What to say about Real? They have proven their strength so many times now. In the Champions League they have beaten Marseille at home 4-2 and strong Porto away 3-1. In both games they were 1 goal down, but that was exactly what made this “All Star” team angry and after that they have brushed their opponents aside. Last Saturday they have once more shown their full potential when they have beaten Celta in Vigo, after very strong performance. Since team from Madrid have 6 points from 2 opening rounds, we can expect that they will give their maximum once more in order to secure qualification to the 2nd phase of the competition, which will be almost certain, considering that 2nd team in the standings – Marseille has just 3 points so far. By wining this game, Real Madrid will get significant time to focus on domestic competition, before knock-out games in the Champions League.
As for Partizan, we could say that team coached by German legend Lothar Matthaus made their season successful already, by qualifying for CL. Still, that doesn’t mean that they will not fight in every game. They have shown so far that they will not be easy nut to crack. Against Porto in Belgrade, they were very close to wining and in Marseille they were better team in the 1st half; in the 2nd half they were reduced to 10 men and simply couldn’t hold Marseille any more.
For this big game, Matthaus has big selection problems. Partizan’s best striker Andrija Delibasic is suspended after being sent off in Marseille. Defender, who has lot of excursions in attack on the left flank, and who is extremely important for Partizan, Milivoje Cirkovic is also out through injury. Defenders Bajic and Partizan’s best defenseman Taribo West had some kind of stomach virus, and while Bajic should be fit in time, West is very doubtful. Midfielder Ivic and 1st choice goalie Kralj were previously injured. So, what we have is best striker, best defensive midfielder and best defender out for Partizan, and that is not something you want to happen when you go to meet Real Madrid at Bernabeu.
Partizan’s players are impressed with this opponent. They will play against Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Raul…This was clear during their last league game, when they almost failed to beat Napredak at home. In local media players are giving statements about how they will fight hard against Real, but also about who will get Ronaldo’s jersey after the game.
I do not doubt that Partizan’s players and their coach Matthaus will give their best to make an upset here, but their best will simply be too little for this opponent and therefore giving 2 goals advantage to Real looks like good value to me.
Real Madrid will host Champions League debutants, Partizan Belgrade in the 3rd round of the group stage, looking to make it 3 out of 3 in this competition.
What to say about Real? They have proven their strength so many times now. In the Champions League they have beaten Marseille at home 4-2 and strong Porto away 3-1. In both games they were 1 goal down, but that was exactly what made this “All Star” team angry and after that they have brushed their opponents aside. Last Saturday they have once more shown their full potential when they have beaten Celta in Vigo, after very strong performance. Since team from Madrid have 6 points from 2 opening rounds, we can expect that they will give their maximum once more in order to secure qualification to the 2nd phase of the competition, which will be almost certain, considering that 2nd team in the standings – Marseille has just 3 points so far. By wining this game, Real Madrid will get significant time to focus on domestic competition, before knock-out games in the Champions League.
As for Partizan, we could say that team coached by German legend Lothar Matthaus made their season successful already, by qualifying for CL. Still, that doesn’t mean that they will not fight in every game. They have shown so far that they will not be easy nut to crack. Against Porto in Belgrade, they were very close to wining and in Marseille they were better team in the 1st half; in the 2nd half they were reduced to 10 men and simply couldn’t hold Marseille any more.
For this big game, Matthaus has big selection problems. Partizan’s best striker Andrija Delibasic is suspended after being sent off in Marseille. Defender, who has lot of excursions in attack on the left flank, and who is extremely important for Partizan, Milivoje Cirkovic is also out through injury. Defenders Bajic and Partizan’s best defenseman Taribo West had some kind of stomach virus, and while Bajic should be fit in time, West is very doubtful. Midfielder Ivic and 1st choice goalie Kralj were previously injured. So, what we have is best striker, best defensive midfielder and best defender out for Partizan, and that is not something you want to happen when you go to meet Real Madrid at Bernabeu.
Partizan’s players are impressed with this opponent. They will play against Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Raul…This was clear during their last league game, when they almost failed to beat Napredak at home. In local media players are giving statements about how they will fight hard against Real, but also about who will get Ronaldo’s jersey after the game.
I do not doubt that Partizan’s players and their coach Matthaus will give their best to make an upset here, but their best will simply be too little for this opponent and therefore giving 2 goals advantage to Real looks like good value to me.
