Partizan vs Real Madrid

Partizan, known as the black-and-whites, saw their EuroLeague playoff hopes vanish after a narrow 70-66 defeat to Zalgiris in Kaunas. A victory in Lithuania could have positioned them well to claim the 10th spot in the final round, but their inconsistent performance throughout the season—particularly in recent EuroLeague games—suggests that Zeljko Obradovic’s squad may not have earned a higher ranking than their current 11th place.

On a brighter note, Partizan triumphed in the ABA League over the weekend, edging out Igokea 100-94 to maintain a share of the top spot with an impressive 23-3 record.

Since the Radivoje Korac Cup, Partizan has struggled significantly, grappling with a dip in both form and results. While losses on tough road trips to Barcelona and Olympiacos might be excused due to the caliber of opposition, the team has often appeared aimless and ineffective in other contests.

Over their last six EuroLeague games, they’ve managed just one victory—against Alba Berlin at home—and their scoring has dwindled to an average of 70 points across the past two outings, a tally too low for this level of competition. The backcourt has been overly dependent on Carlik Jones’ energy and brilliance, exposing a lack of depth, while an injury to Tyrique Jones during practice before the Zalgiris game has further thinned their frontcourt options.

In stark contrast, Real Madrid has showcased their title-winning pedigree by peaking at the perfect moment. They’re riding a ten-game winning streak across all competitions, their last defeat coming over a month ago against Panathinaikos in Athens. Recent successes include a 78-72 win over Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and a thrilling 105-104 home victory against Paris, followed by a gritty 91-89 road triumph over Barcelona in the Endesa League.

This upcoming clash in Belgrade carries high stakes for Real Madrid, as the result will play a major role in determining their final standing. A loss to Partizan would force them into the play-in route for the playoffs—an outcome they’d prefer to avoid. With their superior quality, Real Madrid is well-equipped to neutralize Partizan’s strengths and capitalize on their shortcomings. Walter Tavares could prove pivotal with his dominance on the offensive glass, posing a significant challenge for Partizan’s defense. Moreover, with several players currently in top form, Real Madrid holds a clear edge in team unity and momentum heading into this matchup.

The club can now focus on the Adriatic League title chase. Partizan has only one game remaining in the EuroLeague. Unfortunately, they underperformed at the conclusion of the season and fell out of the playoff picture, while their opponents continued to win.

The Serbs changed their tactics mid-season, emphasizing defense, and they finished third in the league in this category. There will be a lot to think about throughout the offseason. The club played good basketball, but it wasn't enough. They lacked consistency at times, and the quality of their players suffered. There is still work to be done, since EuroLeague administration is not rushing to audit teams, so there will be opportunities to show themselves.

The Royal Club has won five consecutive EuroLeague games and is now battling for a playoff position. It's astonishing that a squad of this level only recalled how to play basketball well near the conclusion of the season.

To gain a straight spot in the knockout stage, they must continue to win while hoping Bayern fall up. Otherwise, they will play at least one more game in the play-in. Fortunately, the squad is free of injuries, albeit the season has not been without its challenges. There are no complaints about their level of play; lastly, all systems are working well.