Champions League Preview: Partizan Belgrade v Real Madrid
Partizan go into this game knowing that only a win will really do against the Spanish league champions.
Partizan go into this game knowing that only a win will really do against the Spanish league champions.
Ambitious coach Lothar Matthias was critical of his players despite the narrow 1-0 defeat in fortress Bernabeu last time out.
"I am disgusted with the result," he said. "Some of our players had too much respect for Real and couldn't even pass the ball. Despite this attitude we only lost by a goal."
"We had players who looked sad and full of fear on the pitch. This is a pity, because we were close to grabbing a historic win."
Should Partizan fail to win, and Porto grab a victory at home to Marseille, the game will be all but up for the Yugoslavs who qualified for the group stages with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Newcastle.
During Real Madrid's 3-0 defeat of Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu on Saturday, the visitors had the audacity to dominate the Merengues for sustained periods of the match, and were it not for the heroics of Iker Casillas, they may have come away with a draw.
The Real keeper and Ronaldo were singled out for special praise after that match. The Brazilian has gone on record as saying this season is going to be a special one, and by the way he's started off, who would doubt him?
The club were boosted on Sunday with the news that Michel Salgado, Raul and Guti have all agreed new contracts. An end to the speculation at last.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Partizan: Matthaus has been working intensely on the psychological aspect with his men. He wants to make them believe they can beat the Merengues.
Real Madrid: Queiroz must decide whether to partner Raul Bravo in central defence with Francisco Pavon, or move Ivan Helguera back and play Guti in midfield alongside David Beckham.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Partizan: Pantic, Ognjanovic, Savic, West, Djordjevic, Malbasa or Rzasa, Duljaj, Nadj, Iliev, Sasha Ilic, Delibasic.
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Míchel Salgado, Pavón, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Helguera; Figo, Raúl, Zidane; Ronaldo.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pantic (Partizan): with Real knowing that a win will send them through, they'll be going for the jugular. The Partizan goalkeeper may be in for a busy match.
David Beckham (Real Madrid): the Spanish can't get enough of Beckham. His crosses, free-kicks, passing and most of all work-rate have won him many plaudits from the press and public alike.