After helping Partizan kick off their Serbian Super Liga campaign with a victory over Indjija, Umar Sadiq will be looking to produce a fine performance in the Europa League opener against Connah’s Quay as well. The Nigerian attacker is hungry for European glory, but the 23-year-old and his new teammates will have to prove their worth on the field. Seeing that Umar Sadiq has yet to find the net in a competitive match for the Serbian club, Thursday’s football match could be the turning point for the former Perugia man.
Promising display against Indjija
Partizan did well to beat Indjija at Gradski Stadion in the opening match of their Serbian Super Liga campaign, with experienced midfielder Zoran Tosic, who played for the likes of CSKA Moscow and Manchester United in the past, scoring the only goal of the match. Umar Sadiq started the match and after 19 minutes he missed a clear-cut opportunity to break the deadlock.
On the stroke of half-time the Nigeria attacker provided a beautiful assist for Zoran Tosic, who failed to beat the opposition goalkeeper from a close range this time out. Anyhow, Partizan fans are satisfied with Sadiq’s display as he posed a big threat for the opposition defenders on his Super Liga debut until the 72nd minute when Ognjen Ozegovic replaced him.
Partizan top scorer on the verge of leaving the club
After impressing in the 2018/2019 season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions, Partizan supporters expected Ricardo Gomes to stay at the capital club, but, as things stand now, he is unlikely to play for the Black and Whites this term. The Cape Verde Islands international is heavily linked with a move away from Partizan, meaning that the club owners undisputedly have faith in Umar Sadiq, who is expected to shine in the 2019/2020 season.
Sadiq, who found the net in a pre-season 2-1 win over Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, is undisputedly the team’s first-choice centre forward, but seeing that Ognjen Ozegovic is pushing for a start as well, the Nigeria footballer will have to keep improving his game if he is to extend his run in the starting berth.
Good relationship with the coach
Partizan have been making progress week by week ever since Savo Milosevic took over the reins. The former Aston Villa and Zaragoza attacker helped the Black and Whites beat their bitter local rivals Crvena Zvezda in the Serbian Cup final earlier this year and it seems that the key to his success is his hands-on approach.
Umar Sadiq was Savo Milosevic’s wish and the Partizan boss was very satisfied when the club owners brought the Nigerian striker to the Humska Street. Milosevic is positive that Sadiq is going to be an adequate replacement for Ricardo Gomes as the two players have similar style of play. The Partizan coach has stated that Umar’s human qualities are yet another reason why the Serbian outfit signed him in the summer transfer window.
Partizan kick off their Europa League campaign against Connah’s Quay (Photo: shutterstock.com/Alexander Ishchenko)
All eyes on Nigeria attacker in the Europa League opener
Partizan have been handed an easy draw in the Europa League second qualifying round as they face Welsh club Connah’s Quay in the double-header. Connah’s Quay did well to beat the odds and eliminate Kilmarnock in round 1 and they will be looking to claim yet another major scalp when they face the 27-time Serbian champions at Corbett Sports Stadium. However, they will have a much bigger fish to fry this time out and Partizan are seen as hot favourites to win Thursday’s clash.
Umar Sadiq is eager to impress on his Europa League debut with the Serbian club and to score his first goal in competitive matches. The Nigerian attacker represented Scottish club Rangers in the Europa League last term, coming as a substitute Alfredo Morelos in the dying minutes of the clash against Maribor. Umar Sadiq will not have a better chance than this to open his goal-scoring account in the Europa League and he is likely to prove a handful for Connah’s Quay defenders in the Corbett Sports Stadium. You should bear in mind that Partizan are 7/20 at 1XBET to beat the Welsh outfit in the first leg.
Gernot Rohr will keep an eye on Umar Sadiq
Considering that Partizan are one of the most successful clubs in the Balkans, there is no doubt Umar Sadiq’s performances in both Serbian Super Liga and Europa League will be monitored by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr. The Nigerian rising star has yet to make his debut for the national team, meaning that he must be hungry for the international football. Sadiq failed to make Nigeria 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, but he could represent the Super Eagles at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon.
Umar Sadiq must work hard in each and every training session if he is to earn a call-up for the national team and his Nigeria future surely depends on his performances with Partizan in the 2019/2020 season. Sadiq played for Nigeria (U23) at the 2016 Summer Olympics, scoring four goals in the process.
Premier League clubs main favourites to win Europa League
Chelsea clinched the 2018/2019 Europa League title in style and seeing that the Arsenal, Manchester United and Wolverhampton represent England in the European competition this term, the Premier League clubs are widely expected to retain the trophy. The Gunners are 6/1 at Betfair to win the trophy, whilst Man Utd’s victory in the Europa League is priced 11/2 at William Hill. The Wolves are 25/1 at 888sport to go all the way in the competition.
Speaking of Umar Sadiq’s Partizan, the Serbs are 500/1 at Betway to make a miracle in the Europa League this season. The fact that Savo Milosevic’s troops made it to the knockout stages of the competition two seasons ago is certainly giving fans a reason for optimism. Anyhow, we recommend you to back one of the three Premier League clubs to win the title as that will see them book their place in the Champions League next season.
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