Facundo Campazzo admits affinity with Zvezda, special motivation vs. Partizan / News - Basketnews.com

Facundo Campazzo laid down the different reasons why he's looking forward to facing Crvena Zvezda and Partizan with Real Madrid, and explained why his current team has been dominating the EuroLeague standings.

Credit: Angel Martinez/EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Angel Martinez/EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images

After his one-year stint with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, Facundo Campazzo returned to Belgrade with the jersey of Real Madrid to face Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

2-pointers this season

61%21,5Points made:21,5Accuracy:60,5%Place in standings:3Record max:32Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Gabriel DeckTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Due to the war in Israel, it was decided that the Israeli side play its home matches in the Aleksandar Nikolic hall in the Serbian capital. The former Nuggets point guard took the chance to play in a much calmer environment compared to the atmosphere he experienced during his time with Zvezda.

"I feel great every time I come to this hall," Campazzo told Basketballsphere.

"I travel the same route I used to drive every day to training and games last season. Then the dressing room, the warm-up, everything is familiar to me and brings back good memories. I can't wait for December 19 and the match vs. Zvezda, to play again in front of the fans," the Argentinian guard said after Real Madrid blasted Maccabi 99-70 for Round 6.

Campazzo's season at Zvezda was full of ups and downs. Without him being able to help the team in the EuroLeague until early February 2023, when Red Star had given up on most of their playoff chances, he had to settle for the Radivoj Korac Cup and the Serbian championship trophy.

In the end, he decided to return to the club where he spent the most successful years of his career.

"Discussions about my contract were held between the president of the club, the sports director and my agent," he revealed.

"Of course, my first option was to return to Real Madrid, but I am grateful to Zvezda for expressing their desire to stay at the club," said the 32-year-old floor general.

Although he admits that Los Blancos are his favorite team, Campazzo does not hide that he has a soft spot for Zvezda and Belgrade.

Real Madrid / Schedule

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Real Madrid70-99 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Real Madrid100-99 Olympiacos Piraeus Real MadridTue19:15 Panathinaikos Aktor Athens Real MadridThu19:15

"I watch all Zvezda's matches in the EuroLeague," he uttered.

"They have a great team. They recently changed the coach, so the dynamic in the club has changed as well. But they have a very talented team, they can threaten from all positions, from 1-5 they can all play with their teammates. [Milos] Teodosic, Yago [dos Santos] and [Shabazz] Napier are an amazing trio of point guard, and I enjoy watching them."

Even before coming to Belgrade, Campazzo had starred in the rival games between Real Madrid and Barcelona. While in Belgrade, he got to play in the city's derby against Partizan, with whom he has some unfinished business, since the team coached by Zeljko Obradovic took home the ABA League.

"I will be especially motivated against Partizan," Campazzo declared.

"I played the derby against them, which is like the Serbian El Clasico. I enjoyed those games when we played in front of our fans, but also in their hall when everyone was against us. I will enjoy the match with Partizan, I know it will be a hot atmosphere, but it will be fun," he stressed.

Madrid are currently 10-1 in the EuroLeague and without a doubt are the first favorite to win the title. Campazzo argued that nothing major has changed since his first term with the team that ended in 2020.

"We have the same offense, we have the same plays," he noted.

"Chus Mateo was an assistant coach before I left for the NBA. Everything is familiar to me and I didn't have to adapt when I came. The staff is doing a great job. We have very talented players, we move the ball well and we always look for the players who are in the best form. We are strong on defense and we play smart basketball, that's actually the key to success," Campazzo explained.

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