Partizan on the way to the Champions League
Last season was very successful for Partizan, so now we have a new challenge ahead of us – the Champions League.
I think we have the quality for the group stage of this competition and it’s a realistic goal at this time.
We will go step by step, and I expect my scouts to do their part of the job perfectly.
Champions League Qualifiers
The double crown is behind us, and the atmosphere is fantastic in the team. I gained a lot of trust from the players and the club’s board.
However, the next task is not easy at all because it is necessary to have a little luck to reach the group stage of the Champions League. That means easier opponents in the draw.
So I carefully chose opponents for friendly matches. I didn’t want physical fitness to be the primary goal, but to gain self-confidence (morale) and that my ideas (tactics) bring us a good result.
Honestly, I was afraid of injuries to key players because Partizan doesn’t have a budget of 50 million euros to bring in reinforcements.
In the end, I decided on the following clubs: Metaloglobus Bucureşti, Hebar, Osijek, OFK Beograd, and BSK Bijelo Brdo.
We started qualifying from the second round for the Champions League. The first opponent was Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia).
With due respect to this club, but I expected a convincing victory of Partizan 6-2 (A) and 7-0 (H).
The next opponent was F.C. København which has been a serious obstacle on the way. The first problem arose when scouting players.
The reports were incomplete and I can say “useless” when it comes to a club that is financially twice as strong as Partizan. What to do at a given moment?
I took matters into my own hands and became a scout. I first analyzed the pitch and weather conditions where the first game will be played (Telia Parken 105m x 68m) due to tactics, and after that, I scouted the players.
I looked at the following indicators: height and weight, international experience, positions, age, and two attributes – technique and speed.
We have reached the final round of qualifications for the Champions League. Only one step left until the group stage, and the opponent is NK Maribor (Slovenia).
Key player Takuma Asano (AML) was injured and I gave a chance to young talents – Lazar Pavlovic and Filip Stevanovic.
We won 1-0 (H) and played a draw away 0-0.
Group Stage – G
It is a nice feeling to be a participant in the Champions League, especially when you are the manager of Partizan and that your friends are: Atlético de Madrid, Zenit, and Celtic.
There are no easy points, but my club will not be “cannon fodder” in this group.
The favorites are Atlético de Madrid and Zenit, while we will lead a tough fight with Celtic for third place leading to the Europa League.
But before we see the table and the results, I would like to emphasize that Partizan received almost EUR 22M as a participant in this competition.
Players have gained tremendous experience, and have become “hot goods” in the market.
As you can see we fought like lions and the goal difference decided that Zenit buy a ticket for the First Knockout Round.
However, I am very satisfied with the result and that we will have the opportunity to play two more European matches.
Europa League 1st Knockout Round
By the will of the draw, it was decided to visit Belgium and play the first game against RSC Anderlecht.
It is a royal club that is making fantastic results in Europe. I believed that Partizan could make another surprise, but…
Unfortunately, penalties are a lottery and RSC Anderlecht deservedly advanced to the next round of the competition.
I am very happy that I was able to form a team that will create serious problems for rich clubs next season.
Jelen Superliga and Serbian Cup
We managed to become champions and win the league. Red Star was breathing down our necks all the time, but the last 3 matches were the hardest for me (FK Vojvodina, Metalac Gornji Milanovac, and FK Vozdovac). I made a few small mistakes when rotating the players.
When it comes to the National Cup, we have reached the Quarter Final this season.
FC Indjija had more luck in the penalty shootout (p2-2), and I gave a chance to young players in key positions in the team.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who bought a product on Amazon (using the link of this site) in the “Store” option. Thank you for your support!
I haven’t published new articles on the site for a long time. The reason is very simple – private obligations.
I will try to publish a little more interesting content in the coming period, but I can’t promise anything. If you have an interesting FM story, guide or tactics, feel free to contact me …
Author: Alen Stefanovic Game: Football Manager 2020
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