Dusan Alimpijevic predicts Partizan-Crvena Zvezda derby / News - Basketnews.com

Bursaspor's head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said that Zeljko Obradovic's preparation and the confidence Dusko Ivanovic instilled in Zvezda will be the keys that will decide the winner of the derby.

Credit: Imago Images - Scanpix Credit Imago Images - Scanpix

Dusan Alimpijevic has been the head coach of Frutti Extra Bursaspor for the past three seasons. However, the young coach had to deal with both Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade in his career.

Free throws this season

84%16,9Points made:16,9Accuracy:84,2%Place in standings:2Record max:27Record min:3Most made FTs:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Alimpijevic coached Crvena Zvezda during the 2017-18 season. Last year, his Bursaspor team eliminated Partizan from EuroCup in the Round of 16 after being the heavy underdog in the matchup.

The two Serbian clubs will battle against each other for the first time in EuroLeague history today. Ahead of the matchup, Basketball sphere interviewed Alimpijevic about the derby.

"Such big matches are always etched in your memory. I was lucky enough to beat Partizan both times in the ABA league that season, which makes the viewing angle more positive than if some other scenario had happened. A person cannot prepare for a derby, such matches simply have to be felt," Alimpijevic told.

"Derbies differ from other matches in that the fans see them to be much bigger than others, which is logical. It is the biggest rivalry that exists in our country," the Bursaspor coach said. "The season can take a completely different direction after such games. A team with a cooler head can make better decisions in such duels."

Partizan and Crvena Zvezda met 7 times last season with all games won by the home team. This year, Crvena Zvezda won the game in the ABA League while playing at home. Overall, out of the last 10 games, 9 were won by the home team, and that only outlier game was lost by just a single point.

"I'm not familiar with that statistic, I don't think it's impossible. On the other hand, it is true that the one who plays in front of their fans has a slight role as a favorite and an advantage in the energy that the fans give from the stands," Alimpijevic commented.

In the end, the Bursa coach said that Zeljko Obradovic and the fans in the Stark Arena will be the key to winning the game for Partizan. Meanwhile, the confidence Crvena Zvezda have after Dusko Ivanovic's arrival, after which is undefeated so far, was noted as the main aspect that can propel the team from Kalemegdan in the derby.

"I think it's completely wrong to predict the favorite in the derby, these are specific matches that carry a different pressure, and the one who copes better with that pressure will win," Alimpijevic said.

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