Europa League group stage competition is to small to have both of those clubs. There is a place just for one. Partizan Belgrade and Molde will resolve who will enter group stage and get lucrative reward from UEFA. First of two games will be in Belgrade on Thursday 22nd August in 21 o'clock (Central European Time). Unfortunately spectators will be prevented to watch it because of UEFA ban of two home games without fans for Partizan Belgrade. Penalty is because of "racist behavior" of fans because of chant to Malatyaspor player Donald ("you're gypsie c..nt") and flag containing Gaelic cross.

I hope few "Gauls" who support Partizan are now well satisfied with this outcome. Partizan made legal complain on ban trying to explain that chant was club level insult for ex Red Star player and not racist behavior, but we all know it will be refused. It was just spending paper for nothing. Someone from UEFA will probably use that complain in quality purposes like when finish in toilet. :)

Partizan Belgrade

Partizan Belgrade had almost perfect start of season. Winnings against not to strong clubs like Indjija (0:1 away), Macva (4:0), Wales amateurs Nomads (0:1 away, 3:0), Yeni Malatyaspor (3:1), upsetting draw against Napredak Krusevac (2:2), lost in second leg against Malatyaspor (1:0) and win against Rad (3:0). Only game against Napredak Krusevac between Malatya games was bad in first half. Coach Savo Milosevic wanted to rest some key players like (Soumah, Sadiq, Asano) and main pole in defense Ostojic was injured. His substitute Vujacic ("the Duke" lol) was not close to his level. He made few blunders and Partizan conceded 2 goals and could even third before half time. In second half Savo brought all main players and they pressed Napredak hard, but could only equalize to 2:2. In Malatya game Ostojic started, but beginning of the game was bad. Goal keeper Stojkovic made blunder and Partizan conceded early goal, Malatya had few chances after, but didn't score. Partizan soon played better and grab some possession of ball and convert game in great fight on center of field without many chances. All was like that until the end when Malatya almost scored from offside, but fortunately Stojkovic saved attempt with panther like jump and tips ball to corner. Sadiq had chance but his poor shot was easy for goalkeeper, while Asano could not hit the ball with his tackle near after. Same happened to Malatya's Fofana on other side and all ended 1:0 and Partizan went to next stage leaving Turks to cry for some non existent penalty and time wasting of Partizan players. In last game Partizan was superb, but opponent on other side was poor. Rad is out of form and it was just outburst of Partizan. Asano did not play, Sadiq came in the game on 70th minute while Soumah went out around 68th. I can say that Savo rested key players. Young teenager Stevanovic showed some nice skill when he scored second goal after one good dribbling and master class shot. He scored 2 goals in this game. However this game should not be reference because Rad lost on example against Vojvodina 5:0. Worth mentioning is fact that they didn't made serious shot on Partizan goal.

Molde

Molde is first on Norway table with one more game than second Bodo/Glimt. They are in fight for title. They won Ranheim 2:3 yesterday. In last round of Europa League qualification they eliminated serious squad of Aris Thesaloniki. They won them 3:0 at home, but Aris gave them hard time in second leg and won 3:0, but Molde scored goal in extra time and went to this stage. I am not sure if they relaxed because of big win in first leg or Aris was that good, but it shows they are not without holes. They have 3 players who scored a lot of goals. Those are tall attackers Nigerian Leke James, Norwegian Omoijuanfo and fast midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem. They have experience playing against Balkan and even Serbian clubs as they played only against them in qualifications. They eliminated solid private owned club Cukaricki Belgrade with 0:0 at home and 3:1 away win.

Pre-match analyzing

In UEFA ranking list Serbian league is little above Norwegian. I think it is safe to tell that leagues are of similar quality. Both clubs are in fight for top place and look like in good form. Both showed weakness in some games and big strength in other. Both played serious clubs in last round (Aris and Yeni Malatyaspor) and had hard time to eliminate them. Fact that there will be no fans in first leg is big blow for Partizan, but UEFA punishments are so often here that this situation is hardly unknown to Partizan players. They play home league also with very small attendance. It will probably be more weird to away side. Partizan coach Savo Milosevic said that they track molde for long time and that they know everything about opponent. He even personally watched Molde game against Cukaricki. Molde stuff probably knows everything about Partizan too.

Partizan defense will be with Ostojic and Pavlovic (signed for Lazio but will stay at Partizan this season) as center backs which is good. There are no injuries in Partizan squad. Partizan strike force of Soumah, Sadiq, Tosic and Asano are all ready. I personally think that Asano aka "Jaguar" will be elusive for Norwegian defense. I have big confidence in Partizan pair of central backs. They are good in duel play and can stop and clear crossings on tall Molde attackers. If previous encounters can tell Partizan is closer to going to Europa League because Partizan was never eliminated by Norway clubs. On the other hand Partizan did never eliminate Turk club before Malatyaspor so that does not mean much.

What I can tell is that Partizan leaders thinks Europa League is more important that title race in Ling long Superliga because they want UEFA money reward for competition. Partizan is in bad financial situation and money from UEFA could be crucial for club survival. Have no doubt Serbian side will play full strength here with great motivation. Survival of club as motivation is something Molde squad does not have.

I think this player could do a lot in this clash. He is very fast, they can't follow him on pitch. Jaguar we all know you can so just do it! LoL :)

UPDATE 20.08.2019.

Leaders of Partizan Belgrade signed player from Israel who played for CSKA, PAOK and Olympiacos. His name is Nacho Bibras and he is playing in center of midield. It is not clear if he is going to be available for Molde first game.

Leaders of Partizan Belgrade sold striker Ozegovic to Rosenborg for ludicrously low fee of 400,000 E. He is solid player he went out for ludicrously low fee. That leaves Partizan with just Nigerian Sadiq on striker position. I wonder why leaders of Partizan are saying 400,000 and transfermarkt says 900,000. Why is this difference ? I feel I know, but dare not to write here. :) I really don't understand this move unless they plan to bring some better cracker striker soon.

UEFA inspector A.G. Alacaraz is asking UEFA to refuse Partizan appeal against fine. We haven't any doubt they will refuse at first place.

UPDATE 21.08.2019.

UEFA decided to let kids bellow 14 years who train football in football schools to attend to this game, so terraces will not be empty, but real fans support will miss.

Partizan new player Nacho Bibras will be ready for Molde game, but will likely start it from bench.

Partizan is in negotiations with free agent Dumbia in attempt to find replacement for Ozegovic. Savo yesterday said Ozegovic did not go to Rosenborg yet.

Coach Savo Milosevic said in pregame press conference that defender Ostojic is doubtful for this match. He will know if he can play after evening training tonight. Missing of main pole in defense would be big blow for Partizan Belgrade, because substitute Vujacic is far bellow his level at the moment. Savo said that nothing will be decided after first leg, Partizan will try to play attacking, to have possession of ball, but that must be well organized with good cover of space in defense, because Molde is the most dangerous when they takeover ball. They send direct balls to attackers very fast. There must not be disorganized attacking. He pointed out that Molde is well disciplined team with dangerous forwards. About new signing Bibras he repeated he is ready, he will start from the bench and probably come in as substitute at some point in second half. He also said that this game is crucial and one of the most important for club this season.

UPDATE 22.08.2019.

Molde representatives said they are happy to be in Belgrade. They said they expecting good, exciting game because both clubs like to play attacking football. They expect tougher game than they had against Cukaricki. They said all Molde players are ready and well prepared for the game. If Partizan push them in defense they are ready to play counter attacks. It's all about good defense, we need to take ball from them and to catch them on counter attack.

Partizan squad for tonight's game is:

Stojković - Miletić, Vujačić, Pavlović, Urošević - Stevanović, Šćekić, Zdjelar, Tošić - Suma - Sadik.

Substitutes: N. Stevanović, Brežančić, L. Pavlović, Natho, Asano, Lutovac and Ožegović.

Ostojic is not playing in defense, Asano is on the bench. I feel Partizan will be in trouble tonight. Young Stevanovic will play on left side.