Wednesday 2nd December 2009
Toulouse vs Partizan Belgrade Preview
Toulouse captain Pantxi Sirieix has set his team the task of beating Partizan Belgrade tomorrow in order to give them the best chance of qualifying for the next stage of the Europa League.
Partizan have already been eliminated from the next stage following four defeats in as many games and Shakhtar Donetsk have qualified with four wins.
But having won their city derby 2-1 against fierce rivals Crvena Zvezda in the Serbian Super League at the weekend Partizan will be full of confidence.
Toulouse know if they lose to Partizan and Bruges win in Donetsk the Belgian side will also go through to the next stage,
However, a win will keep Toulouse's hopes alive until they play Brugge in Belgium in two weeks.
Sirieix said: "The easiest way is to win the match, as we did not ask questions about what Bruges (does) in Donetsk.
"We will do everything to win the game.
"Partizan has won the derby in the league, so they must have the bragging rights. But they come here with nothing to play for (in the Europa League), so you do not know who will win."
Toulouse coach Alain Casanova has backed his players to perform despite the pressure of qualification hanging over them.
He said: "There is a group (of Toulouse players) of very high quality and those who will be called to play in the coming games are top players.
"The Partizan team has not changed since the first leg. Partizan have quality strikers and players with technical ability.
"Maybe as we saw in the (first) game, their defence has some flaws. It will be up to us to bring pressure (to them) and try to cause many problems. "
Partizan have taken the unusual step of asking their fans not to travel to the game in a bid to avoid trouble following the death of Toulouse fan Brice Taton in the corresponding fixture in Belgrade on September 17.
A statement on the Partizan website continued: "Considering those circumstances as well as trying to prevent possible new supporters clashing, UEFA competition board have recommended - after Toulouse FC initiative - Partizan supporters not to travel to Toulouse nor to attend Toulouse v Partizan football match. Suitable French and Serbian authorities are also informed of this recommendation.
"With aim to conduct this UEFA recommendation, we call on Partizan FC fans from Serbia and other European countries not to travel to Toulouse, individually or as a group. Away stand tickets will not be available, neither will Partizan FC have them for purchase, therefore this section of Toulouse stadium will remain empty."
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