Partizan vs AEL

Champions League, return leg of 3rd round qualifications

 

Partizan in most cases was not successful when they have negative result from first game and when they need to chase result. Seems that the same will be today since after 0-1 from first leg, one goal for AEL in today's game could be crucial. I doubt Partizan can score three in that case. Still, without looking on aggregate score, but only looking on today's game, my opinion is that Partizan should win. IMO there is bigger quality among players of host.

 

AEL is squad made only from foreign players and without any domestic player in starting eleven. But they did not impress me at all in game played at home. IMO Partizan had the wrong approach and they were not aggressive enough. But this certainly wont be the case in Belgrade.

 

Overall, it was bad performance for Partizan but even in such poor game, Partizan had couple chances and they should score but attacker Scepovic missed them. One of those was almost impossible to miss but Scepovic managed to do so. Also note that the only goal AEL scored after huge mistake of Partizan's defender Aksentijevic. Also head coach Vermezovic opted for more defensive tactic and put on the bench super talented Lazar Markovic (played only last ten minutes) but today should be different since he should be in starting eleven. Expected starting 11 for host are:

 

Stojkovic - Aksentijevic, Ostojic, Ivanov, Volkov - Sasa Markovic, Sasa Ilic, Babovic, Tomic - Lazar Markovic, Scepovic.

 

Whether Partizan will reach or not final stage of qualifications, this is not the main question here but as I said, I expect to host win today since Partizan IMO is slightly better opponent and they should take advantage of playing in front of their fans. Expected result, 1-0 or 2-1.