Partizan and Malatyaspor played interesting game in Belgrade yesterday. Partizan won 3:1 thanks to great performance of playmaker Seydouba Soumah and new signing from Arsenal Takuma Asano. Last one called "Jaguar" because of his high speed impressed at his first performance.
First half passed in possession domination of away side, but Partizan had better chances. In early part of the game Seydouba Soumah escaped from Malatyaspor player on Partizan's right side captured goalkeeper and other defender completely off guard and sent great low ball toward Sadiq who was all alone in front of empty net. He scored easily for 1:0. Turks tried to attack after that, dominated possession, had few good opportunities but shot the ball badly. It looked like Maltayaspor's midfield and attack is much better than defense. I know they are not in season and maybe they could not show all what they can do in this match. Partizan had one great chance near end of first half, but Tosic's shot blow just near post. Youngster Stevanovic looked good on left side, Sadiq played hard and put a lot of effort in the game and Soumah was unsolved puzzle for Malatyaspor defenders. I might be to biased, but Russian referee went on my nerves with double criteria in first half. Even calmed down coach like Savo Milosevic got pissed off and started to argue with 4th official and got yellow card.
If first half was not top notch for Partizan second was dream game. Young Stevanovic went out and new signing from Arsenal Japanese Takuma Asano went in. I knew he is very fast, but what I saw was just amazing. First touch with a ball he ran near 3 Turks like wind on left side and made big excitement between fans. You could hear big murmur whenever he took the ball. Jaguar started to combine with Soumah and that pushed game of Partizan to whole new level. Savo probably told in half time that he wants attacking football and high pressing. First Soumah went alone in front of Malatyaspor goalkeeper, but he denied his low shot. I must say Malatyaspor has great goalkeeper. Soon after Jaguar went alone but he was also denied by great goal keeper. Asano made higgledy-piggledy on left side every time he got the ball. After one counter attack Malatyaspor was close to goal, but great shot ended on post, ball deflected to their player but was to fast and he could not score and second shot ended near wide. That was lucky for home side.
Then Asano went in another chance one on one with goalkeeper, but this time he shot higher and scored a goal above him for delirium on terraces. He had one more very good and powerful shot from inside the box, but it was saved by goalkeeper. It looked like Partizan took the game completely and that is only question when Asano, Soumah and Sadiq will score third. I must say I didin't see so powerful Partizan for long time.
In one new attack, Tosic was fouled on 17m, ball came to Sadiq, but instead to continue playing in smart way he kicked ball clumsy and lost it and referee gave free kick. It should be goal chance Sadiq! I wish referee didn't gave that free kick, because what happen was not good for Partizan. Tosic took the ball and shot strongly in wall, ball deflected to Turks and dangerous counter attack happens. In last moment Partizan full back Urosevic tackled and sent ball in corner.
I just applauded to him for that, but after corner we conceded goal. Ball went around 7m young center back who should go to Juventus but is still in Partizan Pavlovic jumped to clear and then Malatyaspor player crush on him like speed train and bring him down with his body and then scored by head. Pavlovic played very good, but he need to learn some more tricks in defending.
I must say other center defender from Partizan experianced Ostojic went out before that because of injury and that weakened defense. He is main pole of defense. I must also say that Sadiq and Asano made dribblings in Malatyaspor's box and fell after kicking and contacts with defenders, but on two occasions referee did not give penalty. Dissatisfaction with his decisions were bigger and bigger as game progressed. crowd started to whistle on him in angry way after every decision.
Near the end of the game Jaguar made new penetration in box and tricked Turk defender who stopped ball with high arm handball and it was finally penalty for home side. Soumah scored easily for 3:1 victory.
Conclusion
As ex Aston Villa player and now Partizan coach Savo Milosevic said nothing is over yet, second leg is in Malatya. Atmosphere will be probably like hell and Partizan need to defend hard this advantage there. Takuma Asuno impressed me, all fans and coach who said "It is impossible to track him on the field". He is great add on for squad and I am keen to think that Partizan will catch them on counter attack in second leg. They will be closer to season start in Turkey and will sure be better than here, but my opinion after first leg is that Partizan is better team. If Ostojic recover from injury, and Pavlovic don't go somewhere in next two weeks Partizan has bigger chance to go through next stage. I am also pleased with faster play than in the past. Savo's efforts to make faster play give results.
Congratulations Asano, but I am not sure you are Jaguar, as Savo said you are more like "Cheetah" (hunting Leopard) because that is the fastest animal. :)
You can watch highlights here.
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