Gent –
The 0-1 victory in Belgrade was already a great starting position for AA Gent and thanks to a late goal by star player Delorge, the Buffalos eventually reached the competition phase of the Conference League without any problems. It was never a feast for the eyes, but finally the Buffalos can prepare themselves for a full-fledged European campaign. The first goal of Vrancken and co. has also been achieved immediately.
While Huynseok Hong completed his transfer to Mainz, the Buffaloes had to try to qualify for the competition phase of the Conference League in front of their home crowd. Partizan Belgrade may have lost the first leg by the smallest margin, but the Serbians kicked off in the Planet Group arena full of confidence. For the home team, Watanabe, who was absent last week due to illness, took his place in the heart of the Ghent defence again. Mitrovic therefore moved to the bench.
Gent started briskly: Kums served Fadiga nicely who in turn put Surdez in position, but the Swiss shot high over. Partizan did not remain idle and an attentive Torunarigha was needed when Ibrahim enjoyed just a little too much space on the left and Roef could not hold his shot. On the other side, Brown reacted wittily to a fine effort from Fadiga, the Brit crossed tightly but Gandelman saw his attempt turned into a corner.
Fadiga in action.
Photo: BELGA
Gent’s engine gradually stalled and Partizan smelled its chance. Zahid missed a great opportunity, however, when Kalulu laid the ball ready for use. Too many players remained below their usual level at the Buffaloes, which meant they never really got into their game. Partizan goalkeeper Jovanovic was hardly tested in the first half hour.
Was it the heat or perhaps that difficult starting position that makes you as a team sometimes hesitate, but Gent could barely keep the ball in their own ranks before the break and so Partizan could continue to dream of a comeback. Just before the break Gent even got away with it because when Kalulu fumbled the ball via Delorge’s back into the feet of Zahid, the two-time Norwegian international with Pakistani roots fired high over. On the sideline the stress level on the Gent bench visibly rose.
A Surdez breakout – on a pass from an otherwise very mediocre Gudjohnsen – in the final minute of that very poor first half, was a rare boost for the 10,000-plus Buffalo fans who nevertheless tried to keep the atmosphere going and thus gave their team a pat on the back. Halfway through, the situation for AA Gent was still the same as at kick-off. So far, so good.
Gandelman hits the crossbar
Immediately after the break, Surdez sent a measured cross from the left, but Fadiga headed the ball well wide. A little later, Surdez reached Gandelman again, but his attempt ended up on the crossbar. Two excellent opportunities in a row for the Buffaloes, who nevertheless still acted a bit too nonchalantly after the break, and so Partizan kept hoping for more. Fadiga also went on an adventure and found Brown, but he finished in the side netting.
Gandelman.
Photo: BELGA
Before the hour mark, the Partizan coach intervened and brought in three fresh players. It gave his team a boost, but Roef was just able to hold on to a deflected shot from Kovac. On the other side, Surdez decided to shoot over. It remained exciting in Ghent. Vrancken did not wait long and then threw in troublemaker Dean for the once again very disappointing Gudjohnsen.
Delorge takes away all hope from Partizan
Kums – back in his old form after the break – served Surdez again but the attempt by the Ghent winger could not worry goalkeeper Jovanovic. Fadiga also threw the ball into the Serbian sixteen but neither Dean nor Gandelman came close. Ghent now really pushed Partizan against their own goal and now really camped in and around their penalty area.
Partizan, however, was still lurking and a sharp Watanabe was needed to stop the substitute Jovanovic. Vrancken saw the danger and brought on newcomer Ito for the tired Kums. Fadiga also appeared again, Delorge kept on scattering fine passes, but again things went wrong for the Buffaloes in the zone of truth.
In the final phase, that other acquisition, Varela, was also allowed to celebrate his debut. In the end, it was Delorge who, on an assist from Samoise, managed a wonderful goal and thus immediately chased away the tension. The Ghent fans were allowed to celebrate and immediately look ahead to the draw next Friday.
Photo: BELGA
AA Gent: Rough; Gambor, Watanabe, Torunarigha, Brown; Kums (79′ Ito), Gandelman, Delorge; Fadiga (85′ Samoise), Gudjohnsen (65′ Dean), Surdez (85′ Varela)
Partizan Belgrade: Jovanovic, De Medina (57’ Grimaldo), Markovic, Mujakic, Jurcevic; Severina (57’ Jovanovic), Zahid (75’ Nikolic), Kovac, Arriaga (57’ Filipovic), Ibrahim (65’ Natcho); Kalulu
Goals: 88’ Delorge 1-0
Yellow cards: Gambor, Arriaga, De Medina
Red cards: no
Referee: Filip Glova (Slovakia)
){kind=link}