Back-to-back losses during the Euroleague doubleheader have increased the pressure on Partizan Mozzart Bet. Friday’s game against Maccabi Tel Aviv (8:45 p.m.) and next week’s meeting with Baskonia have become must-win contests for the Serbian club as it looks to keep pace with the teams beginning to separate themselves in the standings.
Partizan now faces four consecutive Euroleague games at home, an opportunity to put together a winning streak and improve its position. However, both Luka Vildoza and head coach Joan Peñarroya are aware that the team has problems to address before it can start thinking about a run of victories.
Maccabi arrives in Belgrade amid questions about its defensive performances and reports of chemistry issues within the team. Vildoza, however, believes Partizan cannot afford to let those circumstances influence its preparation.
“By focusing only on ourselves. I think the most important thing is to keep building, keep improving as a team. We still have some things to work on, especially when it comes to playing at the same level for all 40 minutes. So this isn’t about Maccabi. It’s about us, trying to impose the game we want to play and getting the win tomorrow”, Vildoza said.
Reeves Has Increased the Competition in Partizan’s Backcourt
The Argentine guard has been playing better in recent games, while the arrival of Antonio Reeves has increased competition for minutes in Partizan’s backcourt. Asked whether the two developments might be connected, Vildoza explained how he views the competition within the roster.
“Of course it’s a good thing. Especially in practice, because it pushes you to get better and keep improving. Through that competition, you can also learn more about the character of your teammates. But at the same time, we’re all here for one thing, and that’s winning. So I don’t see it as a competition between us. If he’s playing better and deserves to be on the court, then he’ll play. The same goes for me. We’ve had a few bad losses recently, and we need to get back on track. Hopefully, we’ll all play well tomorrow”.
The upcoming stretch in Belgrade could also help Partizan establish some continuity. With four straight Euroleague games in front of their own fans, the players will spend more time at home and have an opportunity to continue developing their chemistry away from the demands of traveling.
“Yes, of course. I think we’ll be here throughout November, and it’s definitely a good thing to be at home, with our families, and have the chance to connect even more as a team. But at the same time, every game is important. The Euroleague is tough, whether you’re playing at home or on the road. Hopefully, we can get as many wins as possible, but we have to take it one game at a time”.
Partizan Still Has No Answer for Its Sudden Drop-Offs
One of Partizan’s recurring problems has been its inability to maintain the same level of play throughout a game. Several poor stretches have proved costly, and Vildoza was asked whether lapses in concentration could explain the team’s slow starts and difficult periods.
“You tell me. I really don’t know. We simply didn’t play well for three or four minutes against Fenerbahce, then for three or four minutes against ASVEL, and our opponents took advantage of that. Hopefully, we can fix those things and be better. Honestly, I don’t have an answer to that question. I wish I did. Somehow, we have to solve that problem and get back to winning”.
Turning to Friday’s opponent, Vildoza was also asked about Yam Madar, one of Maccabi’s better performers this season despite the team’s disappointing results. The former Partizan guard has impressed with his defensive aggression and contributions on offense, presenting another challenge for his former club.
“He’s a good player. I think over the last two or three years, he hasn’t been getting that many minutes in the rotation. But I remember him from Partizan, when I played against him, and I think he surprised me back then. He’s a really good guard, a true point guard. He knows how to control the ball, and he has character, which is one of the most important things for a point guard. We have to pay attention to him, but also to Hoard, Lundberg and Clark. We’ll see how the game develops. We just need to keep playing defense the way we have in recent games”.
There was also a lighter question for Vildoza, who has already made two shots from half court this season. Alessandro Pajola has added a full-court make of his own, raising the question of whether Partizan’s players actually practice those attempts.
“I don’t practice them. They just happen. I like taking the last shot. I know that sometimes people don’t really care whether that kind of shot goes in, and sometimes I don’t either, so you take it with less pressure. I’ve made two of those shots, but you don’t count how many I’ve missed. Anyway, it’s always nice when one goes in, and it gives me extra confidence. Hopefully, I’ll make another one, but I can’t promise anything”.
Peñarroya Refuses to Look Beyond Maccabi
While Vildoza discussed the team’s problems on the court, head coach Joan Peñarroya approached the upcoming schedule with similar caution. The Spanish coach knows the importance of the four-game homestand at Belgrade Arena, but he has no intention of allowing his players to look beyond Friday’s meeting with Maccabi.
“First of all, we’re 100 percent focused only on tomorrow’s game, not the upcoming ones. Obviously, we have four consecutive home games, but we can’t play all four of them in our arena at once. Our focus is entirely on Maccabi. They’re a very good, talented team with an excellent coach. It’s true that they’ve lost their recent games and have certain problems, like many teams in this Euroleague, but they’re still a very big club”.
Partizan’s preparations have also been complicated by physical problems affecting several players. Peñarroya was unable to confirm whether everyone would be available against Maccabi, leaving uncertainty over the lineup he can use.
“We have a difficult game ahead, especially because we have some problems after the close game in the previous round. We’re dealing with issues involving several different players. We’ll try to compete with a similar lineup to the one we’ve used in recent games, but at this moment, it’s uncertain whether everyone will be ready to play. There are question marks, and I’m not inclined to force anyone”.
When asked specifically about Derek Willis and Tonye Jekiri, the Partizan coach offered little additional clarity.
“It’s the same situation as with the others. They’re questionable”.
Reeves, Franks and Marinković Still Need Time
At the same time, Partizan is gradually getting its captain back into the rotation, while newcomers Antonio Reeves and Robert Franks continue to adjust to the team. Peñarroya acknowledged that integrating players during the season requires patience, particularly with limited practice time.
“It’s not easy to integrate new players during the season. We have experience in Europe and in this Euroleague, and we need time to practice, but it’s clear that Antonio and Robert are getting better every day. They’re learning our rules and playing better each day. Also, Vanja has returned to the team, but after an injury, we have to get back into the right rhythm”.
The discussion then returned to Maccabi and the reports surrounding the Israeli club. Its recent defensive struggles and questions about locker-room chemistry have attracted attention, but Peñarroya was emphatic about the danger of approaching the game with those issues in mind.
“I know about those stories. But if we start thinking that they have problems, bad chemistry or that they don’t play good defense, then we’ll be the ones with a problem! We’re competing against a very good team with extremely talented players. It’s true that they’ve had defensive problems in recent games, but they usually play very well, often better on the road than at home. For us, this is an extremely important game, and it’s not going to be easy at all. We have to give 100 percent of what we have. Otherwise, we have no chance”.
Peñarroya Is Happier Staying Away From the Local Media
Peñarroya also had an opportunity to address a recent comment from former Serbian national team coach Saša Đorđević. Đorđević suggested that being foreign coaches gives both Peñarroya and Crvena Zvezda’s Ibon Navarro an advantage because they do not follow the local media as closely and are consequently less exposed to public pressure. The Partizan coach responded with a smile.
“I completely agree with Saša! I don’t read your media… well, at least I try not to”.
Partizan’s outside shooting was another topic of discussion. The team made 14 three-pointers against Cluj, setting a season high, and there is hope that the improved shooting performance can carry over into Euroleague competition. Peñarroya, however, pointed to other areas that still require attention, including ball movement and defensive rebounding.
“We need to have more assists. It’s clear that we have to improve our concentration on defensive rebounds. I think we’re creating good shooting opportunities, and our job as coaches is to help the team generate even better looks. For players who shoot at good percentages in practice, it’s unusual to struggle against defensive pressure in situations like these, but we’re working on it”.
