The missing piece in Zvezda's well-oiled machine

Crvena Zvezda brushed aside Maccabi and made even lighter work of Bayern Munich in a EuroLeague double-round week that many fans had understandably approached with caution, given the team's past habit of slipping up as favorites.

Yet everything fell into place for the red-and-whites this week, offering a clear glimpse of the brand of basketball Ibon Navarro wants his side to play.

A major catalyst behind that transformation is their latest addition, Christian Koloko.

Christian Koloko has dominated headlines for days, but it is still hard to overstate just how pivotal the new center is and the wealth of tactical options he unlocks for Navarro's squad.

With Johnathan Motley struggling to find his rhythm and Ebuka Izundu ill-suited for the primary starting center role—as Navarro emphasized in his post-game press conference—bringing in reinforcements was an urgent priority. The Belgrade outfit could hardly have found a better fit.

Need elite rim protection and shot-blocking? Koloko delivers—swatting away five attempts in the first half alone against Bayern. Need to switch on defense and contain perimeter threats? The Cameroonian handles it with ease. He can catch lobs above the rim, finish emphatically, knock down mid-range jumpers, and even space the floor from beyond the arc.

On top of that, Koloko is still working his way back to peak physical condition, meaning there is still plenty of room for growth. Everything else already looks exceptional. He commands the paint, commands defensive attention on rolls to free up shooters, and displays an enviable basketball IQ.

Koloko has elevated a solid side into a formidable one, giving fans every reason to dream big. As Navarro noted after the game, Koloko was truly the missing piece of the puzzle.

Skepticism surrounded Ibon Navarro's arrival, especially following a dismal start to the campaign with back-to-back home defeats against Zalgiris and Hapoel.

While far from dominant against Anadolu Efes, Zvezda ground out a vital first win. Since then, the momentum has swung dramatically, with only Partizan managing to halt them across their last seven EuroLeague outings.

Navarro remained steadfast in his philosophy, and his system is now clicking into gear. There is no single go-to superstar; anyone can step up on a given night, with the Spanish tactician managing egos and fostering a true collective mindset.

The players believe in Navarro, the fans have bought into the project, and the results speak for themselves. This is shaping up to be a very promising season for Crvena Zvezda.

VIDEO: Red-and-whites catch fire with a dream first half to dismantle Bayern Munich