Ibon Navarro said he had watched both of Crvena Zvezda’s EuroLeague defeats to Partizan last season.
On both occasions, Zvezda’s problems were primarily mental. In the first game, they collapsed in the final quarter. In the second, they lacked energy and were far too nervous because of the importance of the occasion.
Navarro watched them. But he couldn’t prevent history from repeating itself.
For 32 minutes, Crvena Zvezda were almost unrecognizable compared to the team that had won four straight games. Those feeling more generous might argue that the real fighting spirit was already evident from the start of the second half. In the end, the red-and-whites even had the game in their hands, but they ultimately paid the price for an unacceptable first-half performance.
Navarro Put Himself at a Disadvantage Before Tip-Off
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Ahead of the game, captain Ognjen Dobrić said he had spoken to his teammates, trying to make it clear that their intensity and concentration needed to be even higher than usual.
But Dobrić never got the chance to lead by example.
If the captain was fit – and he spoke to the media the day before the game – the decision to leave him out of the 12-man roster is baffling.
So much derby experience. So many crucial points over the years. So much positive influence on the team in emotionally charged games. So much willingness to battle and lift his teammates through sheer heart and determination.
Everything Zvezda lacked in the first half, Navarro had already chosen to do without before the game even started.
The Starting Five Backfired
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Nick Weiler-Babb, Jared Butler, Nikola Đurišić, Dejan Davidovac, Semi Ojeleye…
Zvezda fans immediately raised their eyebrows at the starting lineup, and with good reason, as it turned out. That five-man unit posted a minus-nine plus/minus, the worst of any Zvezda lineup in the derby, and it went a long way towards determining the course of the game.
Since the start of the season, Partizan have been building their identity around defense and Carlik Jones.
Zvezda seemed caught off guard by Partizan’s physicality and aggressive defense, while Jones found his rhythm from the opening tip.
The dreadful start brought back a familiar scenario from Zvezda’s first two EuroLeague games – having to expend even more energy trying to erase an early deficit.
Zvezda kept digging and digging, took advantage of the stretch when Carlik Jones was off the court and managed to fight their way back into the game, inspired by Chris Jones.
The red-and-whites had the game in their hands late in regulation, and especially in overtime.
A few poor decisions. Players who normally thrive in isolation couldn’t deliver when it mattered – and Partizan’s defense deserves plenty of credit for that.
There was also some bad luck after good defensive possessions in overtime, but based on what Zvezda showed for most of the game, they hardly deserved any luck.
Five Straight Derby Losses
For the fifth consecutive time, Zvezda have lost to their biggest rivals.
Such numbers always hurt the fans, but what hurts even more is that Partizan were once again braver, more faithful to their identity and ready to fight tooth and nail for victory from the opening tip.
The two upcoming home games against Maccabi and Bayern were already important for Zvezda, particularly given their brutal November schedule.
The derby defeat has made them even more important.