MSL: Honors even in derby day thriller

Saturday’s clash of Belgrade’s Old Firm ended in an exciting 2-2 draw. In one of the most entertaining Belgrade derbies in recent memory, before a capacity crowd of some 35,000, league leaders Partizan twice fought back from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with defending champions Red Star. MSL: Honors even in derby day thriller Against all pre-match expectations which envisaged a comfortable victory for the home side, Red Star pulled off their best display of the season so far, and will feel disappointed that they could not ultimately hold on for a victory that would have brought them within six points of their great rivals. For Partizan, on the other hand, while pleased to have come away with a draw and their advantage at the top of the table intact after a sub-par performance, the painful fact remains that they have been unable to record a home win over the champions since 2001. As has been the case for much of the season so far, Red Star’s attacking play was again spearheaded by midfield dynamo Ognjen Koroman, while Partizan’s best moments came through Montenegrin international Stevan Jovetic and Lamine Diarra. It was the visitors who carved out the game’s first real opening, winning a free kick on the left flank. Milijas whipped the ball in, and Jestrovic rose unchallenged to head goalwards. However, to his consternation and that of the small contingent of Red Star fans in the North Stand, home keeper Bozovic somehow got fingers to the ball to divert the header wide. Ten minutes later, Jestrovic had another excellent opportunity to end his goalscoring drought, but shot wide when it seemed easier to score. However, in 32 minutes Koroman, enjoying one of his best seasons to date, showed his teammates the way to goal. Milijas won the ball in midfield, played the ball in behind a static black-and-white defense, and the little midfielder easily outpaced Mihajlov, before sending a low shot under the keeper into the net. By this time, Partizan’s players could feel an all too familiar tale unfolding, and in spite of their efforts, it was the visitors who looked more likely to double their lead, Mauricio Molina going close in the second period, before home captain Rukavina was lucky not to get his marching orders, bringing down Koroman when clean through on goal. In 67 minutes, the home side finally put together a move of some note, and were rewarded with a goal. Diarra found space on the right near the by-line, shook off the attention of a Red Star defender, and squared the ball back to Jovetic, who from ten yards out struck first time past the keeper for his fifth goal of the season. But, just when the Gravediggers - Partizan’s fans – sensed they could finally banish their Humska hoodoo, up popped that man Koroman again to cut short their celebrations nine minutes later. The goal was a carbon-copy of Red Star’s first: again the home side lost possession in midfield, again Koroman crept in behind the defense, and again he slotted home. To be fair to Partizan though, they quickly regrouped, and eleven minutes from time, Diarra was put clean through, and instead of shooting, he unselfishly squared the ball to Moreira who had the simple task of rolling the ball in from seven yards for 2-2. By now the match had truly exploded, and Diarra almost won it for Partizan with a volley that was well saved by Randjelovic. Koroman, meanwhile, went from hero to villain minutes from full time, receiving his second yellow card for dissent. The end of the match was marred by a nasty scuffle on the touchline, as tempers boiled over, resulting in red cards for Lukas and Partizan reserve goalkeeper Radosavljevic. In the weekend’s other action, Vojvodina went second with a 2-1 win at home to Smederevo. OFK passed up the opportunity to close the gap on Partizan to six points, when a Stamenkovic goal three minutes into injury time gave bottom club Napredak a 1-1 draw. Premier League new boys Borac continued their good start to the season with a 2-0 win over Hajduk in Cacak. Cukaricki claimed their first away win of the season at Bezanija with a 2-1 victory. In Vojvodina finally, Banat and Mladost fought out a grim 0-0 draw. Koroman and Rukavina (FoNet)

MSL: Honors even in derby day thriller

Against all pre-match expectations which envisaged a comfortable victory for the home side, Red Star pulled off their best display of the season so far, and will feel disappointed that they could not ultimately hold on for a victory that would have brought them within six points of their great rivals.

For Partizan, on the other hand, while pleased to have come away with a draw and their advantage at the top of the table intact after a sub-par performance, the painful fact remains that they have been unable to record a home win over the champions since 2001.

As has been the case for much of the season so far, Red Star’s attacking play was again spearheaded by midfield dynamo Ognjen Koroman, while Partizan’s best moments came through Montenegrin international Stevan Jovetić and Lamine Diarra.

It was the visitors who carved out the game’s first real opening, winning a free kick on the left flank. Milijaš whipped the ball in, and Jestrović rose unchallenged to head goalwards. However, to his consternation and that of the small contingent of Red Star fans in the North Stand, home keeper Božović somehow got fingers to the ball to divert the header wide.

Ten minutes later, Jestrović had another excellent opportunity to end his goalscoring drought, but shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

However, in 32 minutes Koroman, enjoying one of his best seasons to date, showed his teammates the way to goal. Milijaš won the ball in midfield, played the ball in behind a static black-and-white defense, and the little midfielder easily outpaced Mihajlov, before sending a low shot under the keeper into the net.

By this time, Partizan’s players could feel an all too familiar tale unfolding, and in spite of their efforts, it was the visitors who looked more likely to double their lead, Mauricio Molina going close in the second period, before home captain Rukavina was lucky not to get his marching orders, bringing down Koroman when clean through on goal.

In 67 minutes, the home side finally put together a move of some note, and were rewarded with a goal. Diarra found space on the right near the by-line, shook off the attention of a Red Star defender, and squared the ball back to Jovetić, who from ten yards out struck first time past the keeper for his fifth goal of the season.

But, just when the Gravediggers - Partizan’s fans – sensed they could finally banish their Humska hoodoo, up popped that man Koroman again to cut short their celebrations nine minutes later. The goal was a carbon-copy of Red Star’s first: again the home side lost possession in midfield, again Koroman crept in behind the defense, and again he slotted home.

To be fair to Partizan though, they quickly regrouped, and eleven minutes from time, Diarra was put clean through, and instead of shooting, he unselfishly squared the ball to Moreira who had the simple task of rolling the ball in from seven yards for 2-2.

By now the match had truly exploded, and Diarra almost won it for Partizan with a volley that was well saved by Ranđelović.

Koroman, meanwhile, went from hero to villain minutes from full time, receiving his second yellow card for dissent. The end of the match was marred by a nasty scuffle on the touchline, as tempers boiled over, resulting in red cards for Lukas and Partizan reserve goalkeeper Radosavljević.

In the weekend’s other action, Vojvodina went second with a 2-1 win at home to Smederevo. OFK passed up the opportunity to close the gap on Partizan to six points, when a Stamenković goal three minutes into injury time gave bottom club Napredak a 1-1 draw.

Premier League new boys Borac continued their good start to the season with a 2-0 win over Hajduk in Čačak.

Čukarički claimed their first away win of the season at Bežanija with a 2-1 victory.

In Vojvodina finally, Banat and Mladost fought out a grim 0-0 draw.