Partizan overcome Augsburg 3-1 in UEFA Europa League

Ten-men Partizan overpower Augsburg with a clinical chance conversion 3-1 on the road in Group L at UEFA Europa League’s group stage on Thursday.

Wasteful Augsburg suffered their second defeat in row as Partizan clinically made use of their chances to reap the second straight victory on the road, Xinhua news agency reported.

Raul Bobadilla threatened Partizan’s defence several times in the opening period. The striker was however unable to turn his chances into a tangible reward.

Augsburg’s poor chance conversion got punished at the half hour mark as Andrija Zivkovic slotted home a 16-meter effort to open the scoring against the run of the game.

Things changed from bad to worse for the hosts as Ji Dong Won scored an own goal to double the lead for Partizan after the restart. However, Augsburg showed a vital sign fives minutes later when Raul Bobadilla reduced the arrears to 2-1 after making use of a square pass by Halil Altintop.

Nevertheless, Partizan remained unimpressed and restored their two-goal lead through Zivkovic, who sealed his brace to put the game beyond doubt at the 62nd minute

Despite Aleksandar Subic’s dismissal at the 63rd minute, Partizan were able to protect the lead to the end.

With the result, Partizan lead Group L with six points followed by Athletic Bilbao and Alkmaar both with three points and Augsburg with zero points.

(IANS)