Match Previews

Aris are enjoying a great domestic campaign and are without defeat in seven matches... Aurelio(r) the only missing... Striker Ivic(r) and manager Bajevic set to meat old acquaintances.... Aris are entered this match determined to kick start their UEFA Cup group campaign, and the Greek side are entering this match with a great deal of optimism, as they are currently flying high in their domestic league, where they are yet to lose a match after four rounds. The team is well known for the fanatic support of their home crowd which is arguably one of the best in Greece, and therefore it's not a surprise that they enjoy the reputation of one of the best home teams in the country, and have proven this a few weeks ago, when they've held giants Olympiacos to a 1:1 draw. It often happens that fans of Aris rivals PAOK come to their European matches to cheer for their opponents, but this won't be the case this time, as they are in very good relations with the fans of Partizan Belgrade, Red Star's arch rivals. Manager Bajevic and striker Ivic(r) both meet old acquaintances in this match, with Bajevic resigning as the manager of Red Star this spring due to the poor relations he had with the fans, while Ivic is a former player of Partizan Belgrade, having played for the Black-Whites in a period during which they've dominated the Serbian(then Yugoslavian) championship. However, note that Red Star have underwent a lot of changes during the summer, and that only five or six players that Bajevic has coached are still in the RS starting lineup. The only missing for the Greek side ahead of this match is defender Aurelio(r), who's absence might mean a start for his fellow country man Ronaldo(sp).