Crvena zvezda – Partizan 2:1 (0:1)
Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga round 31, play-off round 1
Venue: Rajko Mitic Stadium
Kick-off time: 4pm CET
Referee: Milan Ilic
Yellow cards: Annan, Ndiaye, Katai (CZ) – Filipovic, Mujakic, Kalulu, Ilic (PAR)
GOALS: 0-1 `39 Kalulu, 1-1 `83 Maksimovic (p), 2-1 `88 Duarte
Partizan suffered first league defeat since the arrival of the new boss Srdjan Blagojevic, losing 2-1 away to bitter rivals Crvena Zvezda.
Boss Blagojevic made only one starting line-up change from last weekend`s game away to Radnicki 1923 – Kovac recovered in time to make it to the first eleven for injured Zubairu while Dragojevic, Ugresic and Milosevic made their first Eternal derby appearances.
It took 20 minutes for spectators to see first opportunity of the game – well-positioned Jovanovic made a comfortable save from Maksimovic`s shot, while Kovac saw his shot blocked on the other side four minutes later.
Kalulu needed a bit of medical treatment on 25 while youngster Ugresic could have had his dream derby debut but he sent a shot wide inside the box on 27.
Filipovic was booked for his foul on Milson on 30. Home side had a couple of promising attacks on 33 and 36 but lacked finishing touch.
Partizan took the lead on 39!! Vukotic sent a lovely long pass for Kalulu he managed to win possession ahead of Annan and keeper Glazer to send a measured edge-of-the-box drive into the right corner of the net. Crvena Zvezda 0, Partizan 1.
Home side replied two minutes later but the goal scored by Katai was disallowed due to a handball offence in the build-up for Partizan to go on a break with a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes into the second half, alerted Glazer prevented Milosevic from getting himself a shooting opportunity after a pass from Ugresic. Minute later, Katai sent a pinpoint cross for Ndiaye who sent a poor header wide.
Home side pressed on and Katai sent the ball wide on 57 after a fine back-heel pass from Ndiaye. Partizan boss Blagojevic made his first subs on 62 – in came Ilic and Scekic for Ilic and Kovac.
Ndiaye scored for CZ on 63 but the goal was disallowed after another VAR review, this time for a foul on Mujakic from Maksimovic.
Boss Blagojevic send in Roganovic for Vukotic on 70 who soon needed a treatment after an air collision with Katai.
Keeper Jovanovic made a trademark save on 74, preventing Milosavljevic from scoring while penalty claim from Ndiaye on 77 did not impress referee enough to point at the spot.
Boss Blagojevic made his final subs on 81 introducing Zivkovic and Sehovic for Kalulu and Ugresic.
Two minutes later, referee did point at the spot for a handball offence from Roganovic. Maksimovic send Jovanovic the wrong way to score the equalizer – Crvena Zvezda 1, Partizan 1.
Home side soon took the lead – Duarte scoring after a bit of deflection from Roganovic on 87. Crvena Zvezda 2, Partizan 1.
Partizan pushed forward in search of an equalizer and Milosevic failed to get a header inside the box on 90+3 while Jurcevic`s corner-kick ball was picked-up by keeper Glazer before the final whistle for a final Crvena Zvezda 2, Partizan 1 scoreline.
