The clash between the Belgrade arch rivals of Red Star and Partizan has always carried a little extra weight and Wednesday a place in the Serbian Cup final is at stake with Ghanaian players expected to play a key part.
Partizan, the reigning champions, are going into the second leg with a 2-0 aggregate lead from the first match on their own turf, as Cup defenders Red Star gear themselves up for a mammoth task in the home fixture.
The focus is on the four Ghanaians who are eligible to play for the two sides with Prince Tagoe and Dominic Adiyiah for Partizan Belgrade while Lee Addy and Issah Awal play for Red Star.
Tagoe is the match to watch by Red Star defenders after scoring both goals in the first leg of the clash.
While their attention will be focused on Tagoe, in-form Adiyiah will be waiting in the wings to pounce as he could also damage the former European champions.
Lee Addy is unlikely to play for Red Stars after a massive falling out with the team over his late arrival from international break but Awal is more likely to feature.
In the first leg of the Cup semi-finals Red Star’s defence left something to be desired.
“We conceded two strange goals. I didn’t come on until 58th minute by which time Partizan had already gone 2-0 up. Prince Tagoe is a dangerous attacker, but he got lucky at the goals in the first match.†Milan Vilotic, Red Star defender said.
Vilotic will most probably have direct clashes with Tagoe from the onset on Wednesday.
“This time round he will be marked more tightly, and not only him, but also Iliev, and anyone else in the Partizan side who tries to threaten our goal.
“Last time out Tagoe was twice in the right place at the right time and we have to disrupt this devastating timing he has as a goalscorer.â€
Watch the match between Partizan Belgrade and Red Star live on GHANAsoccernet.com at 1500GMT.