SERBIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Reactions after Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade defeat rivals Red Star Belgrade to step towards fourth successive league title

Record ID: 575125

  • Title: SERBIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Reactions after Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade defeat rivals Red Star Belgrade to step towards fourth successive league title
  • Date: 24th April 2011
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (APRIL 23, 2011) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE/TV CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) PARTIZAN BELGRADE COACH ALEKSANDAR STANOJEVIC SAYS: 'I believe it will still be difficult, I don't think that the championship is over despite the fact we have an easier schedule. We had a crisis in our game but we have announced in the games against Vojvodina, today and in Smederevo that we are coming back. So a big advantage but a bigger pleasure to beat the biggest opponent in a direct duel twice and eliminate them in the Cup, and that's enough - there is no need for me to continue." CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) RED STAR BELGRADE COACH ROBERT PROSINECKI SAYS: "First, I would congratulate Partizan, I think that he wanted victory much more at the end. Unfortunately, Partizan played much better and the victory was deserved. We had some chances in the first half if we had scored it would have been different. We had a big handicap when Evandro left. We lost creativity. So I can only congratulate Partizan for being aggressive in the game, they wanted victory more than my players, and they deserved to win." JOURNALIST WITH COMPUTER END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 9th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Serbia, Serbia
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA603YCF9YLLEVA882IV3GX7W18
  • Story Text: Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade took a big step towards a record fourth successive league title after a superb Prince Tagoe goal gave them a 1-0 home win over city rivals Red Star on Saturday (April 23).
    Ghana striker Tagoe, who joined Partizan on loan from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim during the winter break, scored his third goal in as many games against Red Star to send the league leaders three points clear of their bitter foes.
    Partizan have 62 points with six games left, Red Star are on 59 and third-placed Vojvodina Novi Sad are six points off the pace after a 1-0 setback at OFK Belgrade.
    With the north tier of Partizan's stadium empty after Red Star's die-hard fans boycotted the derby because it was played on Easter weekend, the home side had all the support from the 25,000 fans in the terraces.
    But it was the visitors who dominated a lively first half and almost took a first-minute lead, when Partizan defender Stefan Savic headed a teasing cross from the left against his own crossbar. Aleksandar Jevtic headed over the bar for Red Star from close range and his strike partner Andrija Kaludjerovic missed the best chance in the first half, when Partizan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic denied him with a reflex save.
    Partizan were confined to several half-chances, the best falling to Tagoe and Stefan Babovic, who scuffed his shot wide from eight metres after a flowing move.
    The game appeared to fizz out in the second half before a quick move down the left flank left Tagoe with plenty of work to do, but the striker turned his marker with some ease and then buried his shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. A constant threat up front with his pace and running off the ball, the Ghanaian sent the home fans into raptures with his eighth goal in 10 games for Partizan, stretching Red Star's winless league record at their neighbours to three years.
    Partizan coach Aleksandar Stanojevic said his team were on their way but must still be careful.
    'I believe it will still be difficult, I don't think that the championship is over despite the fact we have an easier schedule. We had a crisis in our game but we have announced in the games against Vojvodina, today and in Smederevo that we are coming back. So a big advantage but a bigger pleasure to beat the biggest opponent in a direct duel twice and eliminate them in the Cup, and that's enough - there is no need for me to continue," he said.
    Red Star Belgrade's Robert Prosinecki paid tribute to Partizan for their win.
    "First, I would congratulate Partizan, I think that he wanted victory much more at the end. Unfortunately, Partizan played much better and the victory was deserved. We had some chances in the first half if we had scored it would have been different. We had a big handicap when Evandro left. We lost creativity. So I can only congratulate Partizan for being aggressive in the game, they wanted victory more than my players, and they deserved to win."
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