Can the "blues" find a solution for the Euroleague player?

Budućnost Voli basketball players had two European challenges against Turkish teams this season (an away game against Turk Telekom and a home match against Besiktas - with a half-hearted performance), but neither of them can measure up to the test that is coming in the ABA League.

The sixth round of the regional competition and the first big derby on the Adriatic are on the agenda - the Podgorica team is visiting Red Star Belgrade (tonight at 20 p.m.), a team that is on a winning streak in the Euroleague and seems unstoppable at the moment.

The "Red and Whites" are in the elite with a streak of seven triumphs, but Buducnost also has something to offer because after unexpected defeats to Spartak and Trento in the "M:tel Morača Hall", they reacted by tying up six successes, counting both competitions.

The future looks compact again, the defense is getting better and better, which was an obvious problem at the start of the season, so before the clash in the "Aleksandar Nikolić" hall, they have every right to think about the feat. However, the opponent, who undoubtedly belongs to the role of the favorite, is also wondering.

- I think it's clear to everyone who we're playing against. Red Star is probably the team in the best form in the Euroleague and deservedly ranks at the top. This is a very high-quality and excellently managed team - said the coach of Buducnost Andrej Zhakelj.

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Budućnost and Red Star have met in the regional competition so far. The Podgorica team has 29 wins, six of them in Belgrade, with 35 losses. Last season, the "blues" won three times in five matches - once away

Red Star started the season with three losses, which cost them their jobs. Janisa SferopulosaHe was succeeded by Sasa Obradovic, a former basketball player for the "blues", and brought great energy, victories and euphoria.

- We will do everything we can to prepare as well as possible, despite some injury problems and the need to balance the positions in the team a little. But all of that is an integral part of the season. In any case, we are going to Belgrade with positive energy and a good atmosphere, ready to give our best and try to make Red Star's job as difficult as possible - added the Slovenian expert.

Buducnost's good performance coincided with their improving form Giovanna Morgana behind which are excellent performances against Litkabelis, Zadar and Besiktas.

- I think the most important thing is that the team wins and that I do what the team needs. I was MVP three games in a row, but I wasn't in the previous ones - and we still won. That's the most important thing in the whole story - said the American power forward.

Red Star is the toughest possible rival at the moment.

- As for Red Star, we know they are a great team, well-managed and with a lot of quality. We have to be ready to respond from the first minute - Morgan is clear.

Defense can make the difference.

- We have to be as focused and aggressive on defense as possible. I expect a tough, competitive game, with a lot of physical contact - as is usually the case in this league. We're going to give it our all and try to win - Morgan concluded.

Obradović: The future is more of a motivation due to the experience from the last duels

Buducnost is a team against which Red Star has more motivation after the last duels - that is the message from coach Saša Obradović before the derby.

The Podgorica team defeated Red Star Belgrade three times last season, eliminating them in the semi-finals of the regional competition - this is what further heats up the atmosphere in the "red and white" camp.

- We are certainly facing a tough match that could be called a derby, against a team against which we do not have great experience in recent matches. Because of that, and the fact that these matches have become more than just a game, we have the motivation to give more. It is not easy to prepare for a match like this after the emotional exhaustion we had on Wednesday against Panathinaikos, but we have to have the right focus and think exclusively about our game - said Obradović.

Red Star will be playing away to Dubai in the Euroleague on Tuesday.

- Buducnost has big ambitions this season as well. They have changed their squad, but they arrive in Belgrade in a good mood after winning the Eurocup - pointed out defender Stefan Miljenović.