Virtus, strike a blow in Belgrade. Ivanovic: "I want a reaction"

Rayjon Tucker and Andrejs Grazulis not called up, the bad defeat in Trieste, the fourth consecutive, the spectre of the ninth consecutive defeat in the Euroleague in the challenge that awaits the team this evening in Belgrade, tip-off at 20 pm and the protests of the fans: the moment of the Virtus is more critical and difficult than ever. In a situation of absolute emergency, in which after the departure of Riccardo Visconti and the absence due to injury of Momo Diouf to reach 12, the young Matteo Accorsi joins, for tonight and Friday in Berlin, it is logical to expect at least a reaction of pride from the Bianconeri.

With the Crvena Zvezda highly motivated and in the middle of the playoff race, thinking about a victory, happy in case of being proven wrong, seems like a mirage, for a team drained of physical and mental energy as Virtus has appeared in the last few games. From Belinelli and his teammates it is right to expect a response of pride, which does not necessarily mean success, but a spirited, eager performance, that absolutely yes. The club asks for it, the coach asks for it Ivanovic who after having thundered in the post-Maccabi has decided not to call up Tucker and Grazulis neither against Trieste nor for the next challenges. But the fans who made themselves heard after the challenge with the Giulians are also asking for it. And who knows if the single fan who was always in Belgrade on Friday in the stands of the Aleksander Nikolic Hall for the challenge with Maccabi, will also be present tonight at the Belgrade Arena.

In any case, the team is expected to honor the challenge against the former Teodosic and while waiting for possible market changes, Tucker's departure to Aek Athens, that of Grazulis and a possible addition, will have to send a signal. A signal that is also expected from coach Ivanovic who after the initial jolt given to the team, as soon as he took Banchi's place, also seems to have gone into clear trouble.

"We are facing Red Star, a team that played very well and played a great game against Olympiacos – Ivanovic himself emphasizes –. It's true, they play without big men, but all this makes them more dangerous, they are perhaps the team with the most talent in the competition. We will go there to look for victory and, above all, to find the mentality that we have not had in the last games and to improve our game". A step forward is expected from the entire group, from Holiday to Cordinier, from a Shengelia who was too nervous in the last games to a Belinelli who inexplicably was left on the bench for 40 minutes against Trieste and who just yesterday celebrated his 39th birthday. "We will play another game in a warm environment and with a great atmosphere – Will Clyburn confirms –. Our opponents need to get a result to get to the end, we will have to play our basketball to prepare for the end of the season. We will have to go out on the court to play hard and improve our performance".

The race direction is entrusted to the trio composed of Pegura, Shemmesh, Bissuel. Live on Sky Sport and Dazn and radio on Nettuno Bologna Uno.