Red Star Triumphs Over Olympiacos: Coach Giorgos Bartzokas on Challenges and Petrusev’s Departure
In an exciting Round 15 EuroLeague clash, Red Star secured an impressive 87-73 victory against Olympiacos at the Belgrade Arena. The game showcased Red Star’s determination while highlighting some challenges facing Olympiacos. Coach Giorgos Bartzokas spoke openly about the match, the team’s struggles, and Filip Petrusev’s departure.
Bartzokas on Filip Petrusev’s Move to Red Star
After the match, Bartzokas addressed the media, clarifying the circumstances surrounding Filip Petrusev’s decision to leave Olympiacos for Red Star. Petrusev’s transfer had sparked speculation, and Bartzokas offered his perspective:
“Listen, I signed him last season from America for Olympiacos. I didn’t want to let him go—he wanted to leave. You can’t keep someone who doesn’t want to stay at the club. I believe in his talent; he’s incredibly capable. But we’re human beings, and we need to work and live in an environment where we want to be. I couldn’t force him to stay. If we had Filip, we’d be in a different situation. We also have Moustapha Fall and Moses Wright, but both are unavailable for various reasons. Sometimes you need a bit of luck,” Bartzokas explained.
Praise for Red Star’s Performance
Bartzokas didn’t hold back in commending Red Star’s exceptional performance on the court. He acknowledged their effort and dominant play:
“Congratulations to Red Star on the victory! They played exceptionally well and did everything needed to win this game. For us, it was our worst night. We need to look in the mirror and realize we must give everything to win at this level. Playing for stats or numbers isn’t enough. We had 17 turnovers, 20% from three, and defensively, we were softer than butter. There’s no excuse about illness or anything else. We lost because of other factors. We didn’t execute our plan and failed to establish physical contact in the game,” Bartzokas said.
Is Olympiacos in Crisis?
With several recent losses, questions have arisen about whether Olympiacos is in crisis. Bartzokas dismissed the notion of a crisis but acknowledged significant challenges:
“It feels like just a week ago we won a very important game. I can’t say we’re in crisis. Every EuroLeague game is extremely difficult; you must approach it with complete focus—mind, spirit, and body. Otherwise, you’ll lose anywhere. Names, salaries, or jerseys aren’t enough to win. We have many problems, and they affect our condition. Nikola Milutinov is the only center we have. We’re doing things we haven’t done before. Nikola trains without other centers, but that’s no excuse. We need to play harder, together, and stick to our plans. It’s still early in the season; we must change our mentality and prevent nights like this from happening again.”
Red Star’s Strength and Olympiacos’s Weaknesses
Bartzokas highlighted that both Red Star’s strong performance and Olympiacos’s poor showing contributed to the loss:
“I think it’s both. One depends on the other. You don’t play well because Red Star played tough. They fought, and we were completely different. Listen, you can ask Sfairopoulos about the level of Red Star. They have excellent players, even though some are missing, and they’re signing new ones. Yesterday, I saw Alba come within one shot of beating Partizan. There are no easy games on this schedule. It’s not normal to play this many games. We’re not robots. We need to compete and fight to the end. That’s what the owners want.”
Atmosphere in Belgrade and Olympiacos’s Struggles
The fans in the Belgrade Arena welcomed Olympiacos warmly, and Bartzokas acknowledged the mutual respect between the clubs. However, he emphasized that the team’s performance was the key factor:
“It’s the same in our arena in Piraeus. But you know, the fight is always on the court. If you play better, you win. We didn’t lose because of the atmosphere but because we played poorly.”
Is Belgrade a Weak Spot for Olympiacos?
Asked if Belgrade is a weak spot for Olympiacos, Bartzokas dismissed the idea, pointing to broader challenges and the unpredictability of basketball:
“I don’t know. Last season, we lost to every Spanish team except Valencia. In the end, we beat Barcelona and made it to the Final Four. I can’t say this is a rule—it all depends on momentum. I must say that both Partizan and Red Star have very good teams. It’s tough to win here. You must play as a team, and we didn’t play as a team.”
Red Star’s Rise and Olympiacos’s Challenges
The match against Red Star highlighted the Serbian team’s growing strength in the EuroLeague, with their cohesive and aggressive play earning them a convincing victory. For Olympiacos, the loss underscores the need for introspection and adjustments, both in strategy and mentality. Bartzokas’s candid comments reflect the team’s struggles in an intensely competitive league.
As the season progresses, both teams have critical opportunities for improvement. Red Star will aim to maintain their momentum, while Olympiacos must address their weaknesses to remain competitive in the EuroLeague. One thing is certain—the battles this season are far from over.
