MX23RW : Friday, November 8 12:27:25| >> :600:6691901:6691901:
[monks data]
Partizan
Europa League | Third Qualifying Round | 1st Leg
Aug 8, 2024 at 7pm UK
Stadion Partizana
Lugano

Partizan
0 - 1
Lugano


Ibrahim (29')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Zanotti (74')
Bislimi (35')

Preview: Partizan vs. Lugano - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Partizan and Lugano, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In the first leg of the third Europa League qualifying round, Partizan are set to host Lugano at Stadion Partizana on Thursday.

The home side are first in Serbia's top flight with nine points after three matchweeks, as are the Swiss visitors, who are also top of their league with nine points after three games.


Match preview

FC Lugano Coach Mattia Croci Torti during his side's game against FC Basel at Stadion St Jakob Park Basel, SWITZERLAND on July 27, 2024 [on August 6, 2024]© Imago

The hosts were eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers after losing 9-2 on aggregate against Dynamo Kyiv in the second round, subsequently dropping into the Europa League qualifiers.

Despite taking the lead after 22 minutes in the first leg against Dynamo on July 23, Partizan lost 6-2 before losing the second leg 3-0 on July 31.

The Black-Whites last played in the Europa League qualifiers in the 2022-23 season, when they lost 4-3 on aggregate in the third round of qualifying against AEK Larnaca.

Partizan finished second in the league last season with 78 points from 37 games, and they have started their 2024-25 domestic campaign with three wins and three clean sheets,

The hosts will have to win an additional tie after their matchup against Lugano if they are to reach the group stage of the Europa League, and should they be successful it would be their first time since 2017-18.

However, Partizan have only won twice in their last six home games, and this will be of concern to manager Aleksandar Stanojevic, who has been in charge since June 2024.

Aleksandar Stanojevic of Partizan Belgrade during his side's UEFA Champions League Play-Off Second Qualifying Round, First Leg against Dynamo Kiev - on  July 23, 2024 [on August 6, 2024]© Imago

Opponents Lugano were also eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers after losing 6-4 on aggregate against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in the second round.

The visitors lost the first leg 4-3 on July 23 in a closely fought contest in which they scored first after just four minutes, had 55% possession and had seven shots inside Fenerbahce's penalty area.

Lugano lost the second leg 2-1 on July 30, but while they had 10 shots in the game and scored first after seven minutes, they struggled to create many clear opportunities in front of goal.

They have started the 2024-25 Swiss Super League in strong form and have won all three of their games, scoring seven goals in the process.

Manager Mattia Croci-Torti's side finished last campaign in second place with 65 points from 38 games and were eliminated from the Europa League after losing 3-0 on aggregate in the fourth and final stage against Union Saint-Gilloise.

Croci-Torti's team come into Thursday's clash having won just once in their last four competitive away games, though prior to this they won six of their previous seven games on the road.

Partizan form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Lugano form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W


Team News

Nikola Antic of Partizan Belgrade in his side's UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against Dynamo Kiev on July 23, 2024 [on August 6, 2024]© Imago

In their second leg defeat against Dynamo Kyiv, the hosts made four changes to the XI that started the first leg loss, and these players can be expected to make a return to the starting lineup on Thursday.

As such, expect the likes of Nathan De Medina and Nikola Antic to start in defence for Partizan, while Kervin Arriaga could return to midfield.

Although the visitors were eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers, their strong showing against Fenerbahce could mean that boss Croci-Torti fields a similar XI.

Expect Ayman El Wafi and Milton Valenzuela to start at centre-back and left-back respectively, while Uran Bislimi could start in an advanced midfield position behind striker Ignacio Aliseda.


Partizan possible starting lineup:
Jovanovic; De Medina, Markovic, Mujakic, Antic; Arriaga, Jun-Goh, Zahid; Kalulu, Saldanha, Severina

Lugano possible starting lineup:
Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, El Wafi, Valenzuela; Doumbia, Grgic; Bottani, Bislimi, Cimignani; Aliseda


SM words green background

We say: Partizan 1-2 Lugano

While Lugano's elimination from the Champions League qualifiers will have been disappointing to fans, they did perform well against Fenerbahce, and could cause problems for Partizan's defence.

Additionally, the hosts' aggregate 9-2 defeat against Dynamo Kyiv highlighted many defensive vulnerabilities in the team which could be exploited on Thursday.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:549797:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8825:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Partizan vs Lugano

Partizan
31.5%
Draw
16.9%
Lugano
51.7%
89
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
New Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho reacts during the presentation on June 2, 2024
Read Next:
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Lugano vs. Fenerbahce
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!