Flattered Partizan win brings down courageous Spartans

EUROPEAN CUP 2022/23
UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS 1^st LEG
18.08.22
Partizan Belgrade 4-1 Hamrun Spartans

European Cup history makers Hamrun Spartans had a false start yesterday evening in their quest to reach the group phase of the UEFA Conference League, going down 4-1 in Belgrade against Partizan in the first leg of the Play-Offs. The win for the Serbs was flattered, but the home-side punished the brave Spartans on nearly every defensive error made, proving to be highly effective up front. Despite having more ball possession throughout the match, Hamrun were already 3-0 down at half time.

It was refreshing to see Nisevic' tactical approach, with courage, playing a fast passing game, pressuring their more quoted opponents whenever they could, something we have not seen much of any Maltese side in the history of the European Cup.

The guests started well, full of confidence, in search for an early opener with Jonny do Nascimento creating havoc in the Partizan defence on seven minutes with a powerful run, which nearly surprised the hosts’ rear-guard. The first goalscoring opportunity arrived on ten minutes on the other side, when Partizan nearly capitalised on a defensive error, with Henry Bonello blocking Queensy Menig’s powerful shot.

Five minutes later however, the Serbs did the lead thanks to Cape Verdian centre-forward Ricardo Gomes, who beat the onstorming Bonello with a grounder from a Menig assist, an attack set-up by Marko Zivkovic. On 25 minutes, Partizan doubled when centre-back Igor Vujacic headed a corner from Zivkovic towards team captain Slobodan Urosevic, who on his turn headed the ball past Bonello from close-range. In this phase, demoralised, the Spartans could not get a grip on the fast Partizan attacks and on the half-hour, the unmarked Fousseni Diabate added the Serb’s third goal from a swift counter-attack, beating Bonello with a low shot after receiving from Patrick Andrade.

On the stroke of half-time, a Hamrun thought they’d pulled one back after Partizan goalkeeper Aleksandar Popovic failed to get hold of a Roko Prsa free-kick, with Juan Corbalan finishing off from close-range. However, the referee ordered that Jonny committed a foul on the goalkeeper in the built up and the goal was disallowed. A decision which frowned a few eyebrows.

Hamrun totally dominated the first twenty minutes after the re-start and two minutes into the second half, a Matthew Guillaumier header sailed inches over the crossbar. Not much later, on 49 minutes, substitute Elvis Mashike should have done better with only Popovic to beat but the goalkeeper managed to block the Congolese effort.

On 52 minutes, Hamrun’s courage was awarded with a Guillaumier goal, who headed an Ederson corner behind the Serbian goalkeeper. Hamrun continued to dominate and Partizan escaped on 56 minutes when Guillaumier headed a perfect Prso free-kick on target but Popovic somehow fisted his attempt away. On 70 minutes, after an Ederson header missed target for Hamrun a bit earlier, the guests were close to score when Svezotar Markovic headed off target from a corner-kick.

But on 77 minutes, in practically their first well built-up attack of the second half, Partizan added their fourth thanks to an opportunistic Andrade goal, who beat Bonello from the edge of the box with a grounder. Deep into stoppage time, both Sow and Mashike had opportunities to reduce the deficit bot failed to find target.

Hamrun now need to win with a three-goal deficit next week at Ta’ Qali, to at least force out extra time. The match at the National Stadium is planned for Thursday 25^th August, kick off 20h.

Images copyright Domenic Aquilina