Partizan – Crvena Zvezda

International - Euroleague, Round 5

26/10/2023 - 18:30 CET

Partizan had a very poor start to the new season. They lost three out of four games in the EuroLeague, and the biggest shock came on Monday when they were sensationally defeated by Mega in the ABA League. Head coach Zeljko Obradovic called out his players during a press conference, stating that he witnessed "horrors." When such words come from the greatest coach in the history of European basketball, they carry weight, and there's no doubt that his team will show a reaction because their approach against Mega was very poor. Partizan showcased their potential against Olympiacos on the road, and there's no doubt that they will have one of the top five offenses in this competition once again. Their problem lies in defensive rebounding, as they allowed almost all opponents to grab more than 15 rebounds under their basket. Another problem is the incredibly poor shooting performance of Kevin Punter. He has only made one three-pointer out of 21 attempts in all competitions, which is surprising for one of the best shooters in the EuroLeague. This may change, perhaps as soon as this game start. 

Crvena Zvezda made a coaching change after their loss in Bologna on Friday. Dusko Ivanovic was fired, and Ioannis Sfairopoulos was appointed in his place. The club's management was unhappy with how the team played and finished games in Kaunas and against Monaco at home. Shabazz Napier was signed to be a floor general, but he often makes some unreasonable decisions in the offense. Milos Teodosic has always been a defensive liability, and opponents constantly involve him in pick-and-roll situations where he doesn't excel. Knowing that Crvena Zvezda signed ten new players during the summer, and with a new coach now in place, it's clear that it will take time for everything to come together and roles to be defined. This can't happen overnight. 

For both teams, this game is a turning point, but there's much more pressure on Partizan. They were close to the EuroLeague Final Four last season, and the club has announced that they want to be there in May. Falling to 1-4 would be a significant blow and disappointment. With a coaching change, Crvena Zvezda can play this game in a more relaxed manner, knowing that Sfairopoulos can't change everything immediately. The problem for them is also that Branko Lazic injured his rib on Monday and is likely to be out, and Nemanja Nedovic is questionable. The backcourt is definitely weakened, and Partizan will know how to exploit it. With 20,000 fans in the "Stark Arena" supporting the home team, Partizan players understand the significance of this match for the fans, as they are playing in Belgrade for a while. For many of the visiting players, this will be their first "Eternal Derby" in their career. Partizan has shown more on the court than Crvena Zvezda so far, and considering all the circumstances, it would be truly shocking if they don't come out victorious.