Belgrade backdrop gives Partizan edge on Braga

FK Partizan coach Aleksandar Stanojević believes his side can revive their Group H campaign by claiming a first win at home to SC Braga. "With the help of our fans, and with the attacking players we have, we can achieve our goal," he said. With both coaches promising to take risks, it promises to be an open affair. "I'll do my best to ensure this is an entertaining game," commented Braga boss Domingos Paciência.

Aleksandar Stanojević, Partizan coach
For the first time since our second game against Anderlecht in the play-offs, I am focused entirely on one match, because this is life or death. That is the way we are looking at it. Braga's form is not great, but they played some great games in the league, against Benfica and Porto for example, even though they lost. Braga have a great team and they are terrific on the counterattack.

We will have to play a much, much more attacking game. For us, this is a historic match. We have to take risks. I expect a similar game to the one we saw in Braga. We had more possession. I would like that to be the case in Belgrade, and with the help of our fans, and with the attacking players we have, we can achieve our goal. Yes, we need to win. I told the players, if you're not feeling the pressure, something is wrong.

Domingos Paciência, Braga coach
This match will be crucial to Braga's future in the UEFA Champions League. The calculations in this group are not difficult to make; it's obvious that both teams are playing to stay in the competition. It'll be tough against the leaders of the Serbian top flight. We'll play to win of course, but I won't know if a draw is a good result or not until the end.

Partizan have the advantage of playing at home and we know they will do their best to win, but we won't surrender. We will fight for everything for 90 minutes and we'll take the risks that are necessary to get the win we need. As the coach, I will do my best to ensure this is an entertaining game for all the people watching.

Team news
• Partizan
Partizan have no injury concerns or suspensions as they prepare for the big kick-off.

• Braga
Paulão (thigh) missed the weekend defeat at Rio Ave FC, where Alberto Rodríguez came on as a substitute for his first appearance since suffering a right thigh injury on Matchday 2. Quim ruptured his right Achilles tendon in pre-season training and is expected to be out until the new year.

Weekend results
30/10/10 Partizan 3-0 FK Jagodina
(Moreira 52, Iliev 86, Petrović 90+3pen)
Almami Moreira was on target for the second successive league game against Jagodina, his sixth-minute goal having earned Partizan a 1-0 win at FK Crvena Zvezda on 23 October, their fourth successive derby triumph. Partizan have won 15 out of 17 in the league since Stanojević took the reins in April.

30/10/10 Rio Ave FC 2-0 Braga
(Zé Gomes 72, João Tomás 83)
Léo Fortunato made his first Liga start as Braga lost to a Rio Ave side that began the weekend at the foot of the table. Moisés was sent off on 27 minutes after giving away a penalty. Felipe saved the spot kick. Braga have not won away in the Liga in five attempts this term.

Did you know?
Partizan have drawn their last three home matches against visitors from Portugal starting from their 1-1 stalemate with FC Porto in their only other UEFA Champions League group stage campaign, in 2003/04. Before that three-game run of draws, all three fixtures in Belgrade ended in wins for the hosts.

For more information see the match background.