Zeljko Obradovic admits Partizan in crisis, addresses late-game collapses / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic takes responsibility for Partizan's 'impossible' loss to Bayern on Thursday night.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

On Thursday night, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade experienced a narrow 78-79 defeat in EuroLeague Round 26 against FC Bayern Munich at the Stark Arena.

Sylvain Francisco sealed the victory for Bayern with a clutch three-pointer just 1.1 seconds before the end. Despite Partizan leading by four points with 49 seconds remaining, they couldn't secure the win.

"We had everything in our hands, it was easy to win the game," coach Zeljko Obradovic said after the game, via Mozzart Sport. "It was similar against Bologna. We lost the game due to our mistakes, just like in Bologna. It is impossible to lose a game like this, to fall like this. If the players were under stress, we wouldn't have been able to lead almost the entire game."

Obradovic acknowledged the missed opportunity to prevent Francisco's crucial shot, emphasizing the team's failure to foul the French guard in the final moments. When questioned about it, Obradovic responded:

"How do you know I didn't ask?" he referred to a journalist. "Look at the video. I shouted to Kevin [Punter] and told him: 'Foul, foul, foul.' What can I do? We didn't do it. We lost the same in Bologna in a similar way. Let this defeat be on me. For some [players], apparently, even this kind of atmosphere created by the fans is not enough. I will always take responsibility."

This loss marked the team's third consecutive defeat in the EuroLeague and the fifth in a row across all competitions. Partizan fans expressed their disappointment by whistling, booing, and even confronting the players after the game.

Meanwhile, Obradovic took responsibility for the team's struggles, acknowledging the crisis they are facing.

"When you lose five [games] in a row, then it's definitely a crisis, there's no question," Obradovic noted. "Apart from Split, we were in the game in all the other matches. There are moments when I wonder: 'What next? What would I do? What more could I do to boost the morale of the players?' We worked, talked, repeated, worked for hours...

"It all comes down to my job in the end, the legendary coach added. "I'll probably be asking myself questions all night - what next? It's obvious that some things are not good, and I will seriously think about it. Since what I am doing is obviously not good enough. I will sit down with the people from the coaching staff, so that we can see what needs to be done to improve the situation. I have always said that the ball in the first minute has the same importance as the one in the last one. ... This is the sixth game we have lost in the same way. Did we analyze, talk, work? We did."

Game highlights:

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