Is This Zvezda Team Even Playoff-Worthy in the EuroLeague?

A victory that might not significantly impact Partizan's standing, but will undoubtedly boost their morale.

The black-and-whites secured their sixth consecutive EuroLeague win, arguably the most valuable for their fans, as the 'Steamroller' further complicated their biggest rival's situation in the standings.

Just two rounds ago, fans of the team from Mali Kalemegdan were dreaming of the playoffs, a spot among Europe's top six teams. However, currently, even a play-in berth seems like an achievement, given the league table and the rise of several competitors.

A win in the Eternal Derby could have changed a lot, but Crvena Zvezda, for who knows how many times, lost a game they absolutely had to win.

Admittedly, one game shouldn't define a club, especially a team that has already played 34 EuroLeague rounds. However, this isn't just about a loss to Partizan – Zvezda previously fell to Maccabi, who at the time were miles away from play-in contention, then to Bayern, who subsequently went on a losing streak, and now to Partizan.

Three matches, three home games, three encounters where potential victories would have propelled Zvezda to fourth place in the EuroLeague standings. Yet, Saša Obradović's team failed to secure a win in these crucial games. In fact, they lost all three.

Zvezda keeps repeating the same pattern game after game. Before these matches, everyone was aware of their significance, aware that the opponent had nothing to lose and that the pressure would be on the red-and-whites. They stumbled once, then a second time, and now a third – the most painful one – against their biggest rival.

If a team loses all three home games where they were favorites, a clear question arises: are they even fit for the playoffs, or even the play-in?

Zvezda struggles to break through a psychological barrier, failing to learn from their mistakes. From one game to the next, the same scenario unfolds: when things start to go downhill, there's no one to stop the slide. Everything devolves into individual play, one-on-one situations, which rarely yields results. Perhaps in isolated matches, but over the course of a season – it's a tough ask.

It's not over for the red-and-whites, as Saša Obradović emphasized in the press conference, but the question remains: what is the true potential of this team? A team whose form is declining while rivals are surging, and a team that has stumbled three times at home when they were the favorites.

VIDEO Watch Crvena Zvezda fans' spectacular choreography: The entire Arena is red and white