Partizan Belgrade vs. Club Brugge
Photo: Yahoo, Ivan Perišić in action against FK Partizan Belgrade
Club Brugge defeated FK Partizan Belgrade in a wild 4-2 shootout at FK Partizan Stadium, with only 6,300 in attendance. Ivan Perišić put on another outstanding performance for his side, scoring the first goal of the match in the 28′ after converting on teammate Michael Klukowski’s cross from short range. Eight minutes later, a pass from Perišić was converted by teammate Rostand Dorge Kouemaha for the second tally of the match. Perišić was subbed in the 81′ for Jeroen Simaeys after yet another solid performance in European competition despite playing in an atmosphere we can consider significantly more hostile than normal this time around.
Photo: Yahoo
With the win, Club Brugge move 3 points ahead of French outfit Toulouse with 7, chasing the still-undefeated group leaders Shakhtar of Ukraine.
Toulouse vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Photo: Yahoo, Darijo Srna
Shakhtar Donetsk continued their solid form today in UEFA Europa League action with a convincing 2-0 victory over hosts Toulouse from the Stadium Municipal, booking their places in the round of 32 of the tournament with two games to spare in the group stage. Darijo Srna started the match for his team but was subbed in the 73′ for Vasyl Kobin after Shakhtar went up 2-0.
Photo: uefa, Darijo Srna battling for possession
Overall, it was a quite game for Darijo, who failed to make the score-sheet and had very few efforts on goal. However, look for him to play a big role for Shakhtar in the round of 32 considering his big-game experience for both club and country. Let’s not forget, this guy was instrumental in his side winning the UEFA Cup last season.
Levski Sofia vs. Red Bull Salzburg
Photo: Yahoo, Nikola Pokrivač
Visitors Red Bull Salzburg defeated Bulgarian outfit Levski Sofia 1-0 from the Georgi Asparuchov Stadium with 5,000 fans in attendance by means of a Franz Schiemer header off a long throw three minutes into added time. Despite a quite day with regards to the scoresheet, Nikola Pokrivač played the entire match for his club. Maintaining an undefeated record in Group G, Salzburg have moved six points clear of Villarreal CF and Lazio after the Spanish clubs 4-1 victory against the Serie A side today.
Rapid Vienna vs. Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Photo: uefa, Nikica Jelavić
Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC moved to the top of UEFA Europa League Group C nearing Round of 32 qualification thanks to a 3-0 thrashing of SK Rapid Wien from Vienna. 49,000 supporters at the Gerhard-Hanappi Stadium were silenced early, watching their team drop to third place in Group C despite storming out of the gates to begin their UEFA Europa League campaign. Much of their early success can be linked to striker Nikica Jelavić. However, now that Jelavić’s output has dropped significantly, it has affected the rest of his team and their ability to jump on opponents early and win important games like they had done at the beginning of their campaign. Today, Jelavić started but was replaced in the 79′ by Hamdi Salihi after an afternoon that included only three solid chances on goal, one of which glanced off the goalpost just before half-time.
Ever since his call-up to the NT by Slaven Bilić, Jelavić has watched his production steadily decline in both Austrian Bundesliga play, but also (and more noticible) in UEFA competition.
At this point, we should address two major questions: What has happened to Nikica Jelavić? Should he continue to be featured on the NT if his club production continues to drop?
SK Sturm Graz vs. Panathinaikos FC
Photo: pao.gr, Ante Rukavina
Panathinaikos FC defeated SK Sturm Graz 1-0 in front of some 15,000 fans at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium. Šibenik natives Ante Rukavina and Gordon Schildenfeld were featured in the contest.
Rukavina was subbed into the game for teammate Djibril Cisse two minutes into added time, too little time to make an impact in the contest. Look for Rukavina to be featured in the Panathinaikos roster in the coming weeks after rebounding from injuries and inconsistent play. If Ante cannot make the best of the opportunities he is presented in the coming months, he cannot expect to be wearing a Panathinaikos jersey next season. Panathinaikos currently are in second place in Group F, chasing leaders Galatasaray who are one point in front.
PHOTO: kleinezeitung.at, Gordon Schildenfeld
Schildenfeld, of SK Sturm Graz, played the entire match for his squad, who are in last place of Group F.
~Ivica Peroš reporting from Long Island, New York
Actually lets forget Rukavina. Surely we cannot even discuss him as a national team player when there are several players in Greece doing better than him. Bosko has found form in Greece now and Mario Budimir and Zdavko Popovic have been solid every since they went there. The guy who is intriging me at present is Daniel Cesarac. I admit to not knowing much about this guy. It seems he's spent a lot of time in Czech Republic, but is Croatian. He is now the top scorer in the Greek league with 8 goals. I wander if he could be national team material. Maybe if he keeps up this form, he's nice to have in an emergency.
Dinamo probably would've drawn 15-25K for this match, as that seems to be their European standard.
For most matches, they don't open the Upper North or West ends (When I saw Ajax in 2007, that's what they did). Obviously a bigger club Arsenal, Werder, (insert la liga club) the upper stands would be open.
I applaud the Partizan fans….why show up if your team is garbage and you are not satisfied.
Do you think Dinamo would have drawn anything over 15,000 for the game? Zagreb is not really known for their support of teams.
Also, KK Partizan had just over 5,000 for their match in Euroleague.
The highlights I had seen of Partizan/Brugge seemed dead. I mean under 7K for a European match is bad.
Perisic just blew passed partizan's back 4, took a cross that went through 5 players off a quick FK.
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkVZVppZEpvaTTNvsL&tmpl=coranto_video_news
@ Denis Svirčić
Thanks Denis.
I actually found the vid for the Perisic goal, a nice tap in off a cross at the backpost. The video, however, came from another countries *cough, cough* channel with their own commentators so i decided not to use it. However, I am still searching for it.
regarding Rukavina,
Hell, he could even stay in Greece, just move to a club where you know you are going to get a crack at some playing time, or just a club that has more than one striker…
Ivica well written, however, no videos. How was Perisic' goal? You're doing a hell of a job. Look for a promotion once I return…haha
If I was Rukvina I would want a transfer to anywhere I would get playing time. Dinamofan is right, if that means Red Bull then so be it.
i can't be sure if Ruki will be a journeyman or not but i definitely think he has to start getting some regular play somewhere. The maximum he should give to Panathanaikos is till end of year. If his situation doesn't improve he has to move on.
Kudos to you Ivica for mentioned Schildenfeld. I still have time for this player. People were harsh on him at Dinamo. He was sold way too early. He's been alright at Sturm Graz this year. Maybe this is the place for him long term.
Rukavina will be a journeyman player at best. He lacks the skill to do anything in the top leagues in Europe. He has speed and that is it. He had one great season at Sibenik, actually half a season. he need nothing at hajduk and has done nothing in Greece. And he will continue to do nothing.
Jelavic – nope he shouldn't be in national team once Petric and Olic come back. His output is nothing special. Its distinctively ordinary.
Eduardo, Olic, Petric, M Bilic, Klasnic or Perisic are best options as of now. Mandzo, Jelavic and Kalinic all need to improve.
Rukavina isn't young anymore. Kalinic is young and has 6 months to see how things go. But Rukavina is age what 23 or something. He needs to start finding himself some regular football. Panathanaikos throw him the bones regards playing time. His playing time is so insignificant to be able to do anything. They signed Cisse cos they didn't think Ruki is good enough also its not just Cisse that keeps him out but Salpidis or whatever his name is as well.
I think Rukavina is in the same boat as Nikola Pokrivac at Monaco. Yes he's at a big club, but his status is not good enough for him to consider staying in it for a long period. And just like Pokrivac if it means Rukavina has to go to a Red Bull Salzburg to revive the career then so be it.
Michael, you are exactly right, I was thinking the exact same thing. That 4-5-1 system they run really hurts anyone trying to get minutes as a striker. What Ante did very well with last year was capitalizing on opportunities in limited minutes. He will probably get allot of minutes in the Greek Cup, I think he has to make the most of those moments if he wants to show Hank Ten Cate that he is the future of the club. He scored that wonder goal while a member of the Under 21s, which is the main reason why he has so many Greek admirers. I dont know if you guys watched the game, our boys were down by 2. They brought on Ante and he bagged 2 to win it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwBXF1H8ER8
Had Pana not signed Cisse, he would've been more of a regular starter.
I think that's what it boils down to in my eyes.
Petar Radman
You're right, Rukavina is young. It might be in their interest to hold onto him for a little longer, but he really needs to get himself into gear by staying healthy and develop his game (i.e., show that he can handle more playing time). Granted, injuries have played a big part in his career since moving to Greece, but he just seems inconsistent in terms of production on the field even when he is healthy.
@ Ivaica – Regarding the Rukavina remarks. You are way off the mark. The guy is young, the Greek fans think highly of him, they also employ a 4-5-1. Many of the strikers beside Cisse have trouble getting into the squad. They wont dump him that quickly. They have been running the same 4-5-1 for a couple of years, they dont seem to be giving up on it anytime soon, or, for as long as Henk ten Cate is there.