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- Zvezda routed Maccabi 100-78 in the previous round
- Vladimir Lucic previews the clash with Zvezda
- Christian Koloko made his debut in the last match
Crvena Zvezda vs Bayern (Tip-off at 8:00 PM)
Match Preview
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet gifted their captain Ognjen Dobric a birthday victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Round 8 of the EuroLeague, but there was little time for celebration. Just 48 hours after that emphatic win, Ibon Navarro's men face another tough test.
This Thursday from 8:00 PM, Bayern Munich arrive at the Belgrade Arena.
Through eight rounds in Europe's premier club competition, the red-and-whites boast a 5-3 record, while the Munich outfit have collected just two wins alongside six defeats.
Navarro: Bayern are strong in double-round weeks
Bayern revamped their roster over the summer, bringing in several top-tier reinforcements and appointing a new head coach.
An additional boost for the German side is the return of Rokas Jokubaitis following a severe injury. Although their home form has been inconsistent, the Bavarians have proven to be a tricky away opponent, leaving no room for complacency in the red-and-white camp.
"I think Bayern do a fantastic job managing their players' minutes. They play well during double-round weeks and are particularly dangerous on the road. Their defense is different from what we typically face, and finding the right answers will be a challenge. They have exceptional players like Obst, Jessup, and Wiley, so our preparation must be meticulous. This is going to be a completely different contest compared to the Maccabi game." – Ibon Navarro
David Kraemer also highlighted Bayern's quality, knowing both their coach and much of the squad well. As he pointed out, the red-and-whites must thoroughly break down the opposition's game film to find ways to neutralize their greatest strengths.
"Bayern are a team that commands immense respect. They added several quality players and have a new coach. We need to come together, study their footage, and identify their main strengths as well as areas we can exploit. They have elite shooters, led by Obst, along with Duane Washington. On top of that, they have a solid inside presence. Their coach demands a lot at the EuroLeague level, so I expect heavy defensive pressure. Those will be the key areas we must address." – David Kraemer
How to watch Zvezda vs Bayern
The EuroLeague Round 9 clash between Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet and Bayern Munich will be broadcast live on Arena Premium 1.
You can also follow live text coverage on the Sportal live blog.
What's next for Zvezda after Bayern?
The red-and-whites have another test lined up this week as they return to ABA League duties. On Sunday, November 1, they face Siroki in Round 6 of Group A, tipping off at 1:00 PM at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
In Round 10 of the EuroLeague next week, Zvezda will travel to take on Olympiacos.
EuroLeague Standings
Video: Zvezda blow out Maccabi: "The energy carried us through"
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