FK Partizan captures Superliga title with 4-1 victory over OFK Beograd

With complete dominance FK Partizan secured its successful defense of the Super Liga Srbije (Serbian Superliga) with a 4-1 victory over OFK Beograd. Slaviša Jokanović's side hold an eighteen point advantage over Vojvodina.

The Crno-beli took the lead with ten minutes remaining in the half as seventeen year-old virtuoso Adem Ljajić hit the mark. Ljajić's Serbia U-21 international teammate Aleksandar Ignjovski brought the match level for OFK Beograd eight minutes after the restart. With twenty minutes remaining in the match Jokanović summoned Washington in for Ljajić. The result was immediate as the Brazilian was on the pitch for only a minute before restoring Partizan's lead and added at the eightieth minute. Lamine Diarra made it 4-1 as the celebrations began.

Slaviša Jokanović's Partizan gunning to repeat their double with a win in the Serbian Cup but if so it looks to be through a showdown against rivals Crvena Zvezda. Both sides will need to advance in the semi-finals against Banat Zrenjanin whilst Crvena Zvezda meet FK Sevojno with the final on 20 May.

Partizan close-in on championship

Slaviša Jokanović's FK Partizan close-in on successfully defending their Super Liga championship with a 2-0 triumph over Borac Čačak. With the victory the defending champions hold a hearty sixteen point lead on trailing FK Vojvodina and Crvena Zvezda with nine matches remaining in the the campaign.

The match was far from easy for the defending champions and it took till the sixty-seventh minute for the deadlock to be broken when young Serbian international Adem Ljajić accepted a pass on the left channel just inside the Čačak before moving up near the area and brought the ball back to his right before unleashing a booming drive from twenty-five metres to the back of the netting. Nine minutes later Partizan doubled the margin as Lamine Diarra accepted a deep through ball down the right and upon back across the box, he played a perfect one-to with Almami Moreira who chipped the ball back to him with a perfect finish to the back of the net to follow.

Partizan can seal the championship against Hajduk on 3 May.

rule out FK Partizan pair

Yesterday’s report, via the Daily Express suggesting that the deal to bring Zoran Tošić and Adem Ljajić of Belgrade’s FK Partizan to Manchester United can be cast aside as the club has confirmed their transfer. While terms of the deal have not been formally announced, the fee is said to be £16.3m combined and will see Zoran join the club immediately while seventeen year-old Adem loaned back to Partizan for the balance of the campaign. Both of these players are destined for stardom but equally it should be well noted the vast wealth of talent at the Belgrade (and all of Serbia).

While FK Partizan is rich with a hearty group of up and comers (Nenad Adamović, Ljubomir Fejsa,Marko Jovanović, Aleksandar Miljković, Ivan Obradović) both Crvena zvezda and FK Vojvodina need to investigated by Manchester City (and other clubs). In particular Vojvodina teen’s Dušan Tadić and Danijel Aleksić are two superb talents who look capable of playing at the highest level of the game in time.

if true, move to the front of the list

While Man City has been very vocal with its intent on acquisitions, Sir Alex Ferguson of cross-town Manchester United have taken a strong stance that they will not be making material changes to his championship squad.

However if the Daily Express is correct with one situation in particular, this will raise an extraordinary opportunity that Mark Hughes must act on swifty. This past November Manchester United announced a deal to bring FK Partizan’s brilliant playmaker Zoran Tošić and Serbian international was in the works with additional reports suggesting a further move on the clubs seventeen year-old midfield sensation Adem Ljajić was in the offing. The Daily Express is now reporting the deal to bring in young Mr. Tošić in has how died and opened the door for another club to move in.

Although the Daily Express’ report is not confirmed, if it is true, Man City (and any financially secure club) needs to act on this situation fast and not only look to secure the services of both standouts but attempt to establish a strong relationship with FK Partizan. The Belgrade club is a hot-bed of brilliant young talent (i.e. Nenad Adamović, Ivan Obradović, Marko Jovanović, Ljubomir Fejsa, Aleksandar Miljković) that gets little notice in the media but in time will excel on the international stage.

Updates to follow on this very exciting situation.

PSV launches stunning comeback to beat Groningen

PSV looked to be headed towards another disappointing loss before a stunning four spree in fifteen minutes to defeat FC Groningen 4-2. Whistles sent the defending champions to the locker room with Groningen leading 2-0. The visitors took the lead with Swedish international Marcus Berg opportunistic goal just past the half hour mark however it looked to be the shape of things to come as FK Partizan-product Goran Lovre re-directed Petter Andersson's cross. At the half, Hubb Stevens called upon Otman Bakkal and Nordin Amrabat for Stefan Nijland and Stijn Wuytens respectively. The impact was fast as nine minutes after the break Otman Bakkal found the back of the net from ten meters to half the difference. Only three minutes later Otman leveled the match, accepting a long ball from Timmy Simons before drilling home. A champions spirit woken, the home side thirsted for more goals and one minute past the hour troubled Danko Lazović poached on a close range rebound to give PSV the 3-2 lead. The Serbian international added his second of the night eight minutes later as the Groningen defense left him to waltz in alone.

The victory brings PSV to fifth place, seven points behind the seemingly unstoppable AZ. PSV returns to action this Tuesday against English side, Liverpool in the Champions League

Sir Alex must be nervous

A mastermind in tactical play on and off the pitch, Man Utd leader Sir Alex Ferguson has definitely launched a shot across the bow heading into Sundays tilt. Clearly it is part of his standard pre-match joust but equally has more than a hint of concern of City's commitment to filling the trophy case:

Said the wily Scot:

“Where are they at the moment — excuse me!

“At this moment in time it is Chelsea and Liverpool who are sitting above us.

“What Sparky Hughes does with the money at City is for the future.”

While City readies to fill Eastlands with top-shelf talent and make a run for the top spot, Man Utd has quietly announced that FK Partizan virtuoso Zoran Tošić has been granted a work permit. Once settled the young Serbian international will have a tremendous impact on the clubs fortune with his tough as nails approach and attacking genius.

Another perfect send-off for Rubin Kazan's Savo Milošević

In a career that has spanned sixteen years of professional Football, starting with legendary Belgrade club FK Partizan, this season has been a momentous one for Savo Milošević. Since joining Rubin Kazan he has instrumental in the clubs historic championship season and in a very special send-off Serbian national manager Radomir Antić called upon Savo one last time for the White Eagles match against Bulgaria. Not to disappoint the thirty-five year old veteran scored twice to bring his tally to thirty-seven goals in one-hundred two matches for his homeland before leaving to a hero's farewell at Stadion Crvena Zvezda. Savo returns to the pitch for Rubin Kazan this weekend against Lokomotiv Moscow in what is expected to be his farewell to the game.

a Mario Gómez late show

After a back and forth first half, a late two-goal flurry by Mario Gómez gave die Roten the victory over Belgrade's FK Partizan. As expected the twenty-one year-old Serbian international Zoran Tošić was a dynamo of activity, constantly creating and proving why he is being watched by some of the biggest clubs in Europe. The match started on a razors edge where goals seemed ready to fill either nets but someone they managed to stay free-of till the break. At the re-start, the Serbian club came out pressing for the lead and they would have had it early but Jens Lehmann robbed Lamine Diarra with a top-shelf stop. Slowly VfB started to slice Partizan's defenders apart and with fourteen minutes later Mario Gómez struck the opening goal of the match from twenty meters after intercepting a poor defending clearance. Only four minutes later, he added his second goal from just inside the area after collecting a pass from Cacau and made the final score 2-0 for VfB.

Partizan comes to town

The moment the grouping was announced, I instantly knew the match against Partizan would be the toughest of all. Following the loss to Sevilla, VfB is in dire need of a victory but face a tough club from Belgrade that equally had problems in their opening match losing to Sampdoria.

Armin Veh knows Partizan is a team to be dealt with seriously:

"Partizan are a good team, defending champions at home and already on top again. That's a tough nut."

In expecting an aggressive attack he commented:

"Belgrade won't come to defend. They're aggressive and robust, but they're still skillful and dangerous up front."

VfB is missing Khalid Boulahrouz and Yildiray Bastürk with Sami Khedira doubtful but does welcome back Ludovic Magnin from injury.

For those unaccustomed to the great Serbian club they boast a selection of internationally capped White Eagles with young play-maker Zoran Tošić spearheading the attack with Lamine Diarra and Veljko Paunović up-front. Goalkeeping duties will be handled by veteran Darko Božović, with the back-line of Ivan Stevanović, Srđa Knežević, captain Nenad Đorđević and a defender with tremendous promise Ivan Obradović. Along with Tošić in the midfield, expect Almami Moreira, Juca and another great young talent, Ljubomir Fejsa to fill-out the lineup.

Great match upcoming in one-hour. If anyone wishes, I'll provide updates so please comment.