Dusko Ivanovic Reflects on Virtus’ Resurgence: The Turning Point After Crvena Zvezda Loss

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has been riding a wave of momentum recently, securing several dominant victories across all competitions. Their most notable triumph came in the Italian Classico, where they defeated Olimpia Milano, effectively ending the latter’s hopes of securing a spot in the play-in rounds. But it’s not just the win over Milano that has turned heads; it’s the broader transformation that has followed, one that has revived the team’s fortunes after a difficult season. Head coach Dusko Ivanovic has been candid in sharing his insights on what sparked this change, and it’s clear that a key turning point came after their defeat to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

From Struggles to Success: Ivanovic Insight on Virtus’ Turnaround

Dusko Ivanovic on Virtus’ recent form: ‘Everything changed after Zvezda’

It’s been a rollercoaster season for Virtus Segafredo Bologna, but recent performances have suggested that the team is finally finding its rhythm at the most crucial time. In his post-match comments after the resounding victory over Olimpia Milano, Ivanovic was quick to point out that his team had been playing what he described as “total basketball,” demonstrating offensive and defensive intensity from start to finish.

“We fought offensively and defensively, we were aggressive and had clear ideas against Milano who wasn’t as great as they can be at their usual rhythm,” Ivanovic said, acknowledging that the Milano team was not firing on all cylinders during their encounter. Nonetheless, Virtus’ performance was more than enough to secure the win, leaving the players and coaches with a newfound confidence moving forward.

Ivanovic didn’t attribute the victory over Milano as a one-off accomplishment, however. He reflected on how a specific loss earlier in the season had acted as a catalyst for the team’s improvement. “Everything changed after the game against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade away,” Ivanovic remarked. “Players, coaches, everyone started doing some things differently after that.”

This loss to Crvena Zvezda marked a low point in Virtus’ season, but Ivanovic believes it was also the moment that forced the team to reconsider their approach. After that game, the team made a concerted effort to adapt both their tactics and mentality. It was a humbling experience that seemed to reignite their competitive spirit, pushing the players and coaching staff to reflect on what needed to be changed.

Turning Point: The Loss to Crvena Zvezda

Crvena Zvezda made some (un)expected changes to face Virtus

The defeat against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, while painful, seems to have provided the necessary jolt that Virtus needed to get back on track. For any team, a loss like this can be a bitter pill to swallow, but Ivanovic’s comments reveal how it was framed as an opportunity for growth. It is often said that adversity reveals character, and for Virtus, this defeat appears to have ignited a shift in both attitude and performance.

Before that match, the team had been struggling to find consistent form. Injuries, inconsistent play, and a lack of cohesion on both ends of the floor had left them sitting in the lower half of the standings. But after the loss to Crvena Zvezda, something clicked. It’s clear from Ivanovic’s remarks that the coaching staff, as well as the players, recognized that adjustments needed to be made if they were to finish the season on a high note.

The shift was not immediate, but over time, Virtus began to play with more focus and intensity. Their victories in subsequent games, including their dominant performance against Milano, have been a testament to their resilience. It seems that the lessons learned from the tough loss to Crvena Zvezda helped Virtus build a stronger, more determined team.

The Milan Victory: A Sign of Growth

Dusko Ivanovic promotes the new Virtus Bologna

After the turnaround, the victory over Olimpia Milano was an important statement. It wasn’t just a win; it was a sign that Virtus was beginning to understand the value of consistent execution and tactical discipline. Milano, despite their struggles in this game, is still one of Italy’s top teams, and defeating them in such convincing fashion highlighted Virtus’ potential when they are firing on all cylinders.

Ivanovic’s emphasis on “total basketball” is also telling. Virtus didn’t just rely on individual brilliance to get the job done. Instead, they played a team-oriented game, with each player contributing both offensively and defensively. This approach was a stark contrast to earlier in the season, when the team had struggled to maintain balance and cohesion.

For Virtus to end Milano’s hopes of making it to the play-in round speaks volumes about their growing confidence and quality. As Ivanovic put it, the team was aggressive and had “clear ideas,” which suggests that the coaching staff has done an excellent job of refining their game plan. There’s no doubt that Virtus is now more organized, more focused, and more confident in their approach.

A Season of Change: Virtus at 17th Place

Despite their recent resurgence, the reality is that Virtus is officially set to finish the season at 17th place in the standings, with a record of 9-24 and just one game remaining. While this is far from ideal, it’s important to recognize that the team has shown significant improvement in recent weeks. What started as a difficult season is now ending on a more positive note, and the changes implemented after the Crvena Zvezda loss could serve as the foundation for a better performance next season.

For Ivanovic, there is no time to rest on their laurels. His goal, as he stated, is for Virtus to continue improving and playing even better in the games that remain, and beyond. “Our goal is to play even better than tonight for the rest of the season,” he remarked after the Milano win. This suggests that the coach is not satisfied with merely turning the tide after a disappointing first half of the season; he wants to ensure that this renewed focus and intensity becomes the norm for his team moving forward.

Looking Forward: What’s Next for Virtus Segafredo Bologna?

As Virtus looks ahead to the remainder of this season and beyond, the key will be maintaining the momentum they’ve gained in recent weeks. The team has shown that they are capable of competing at a high level, but consistency will be crucial if they are to make a more significant impact in the future.

With Ivanovic at the helm, Virtus will undoubtedly focus on further developing their team-oriented style of play. The improvements made on both offense and defense have been notable, and continuing to refine these areas will be essential as they look to build a competitive roster for the future.

While they may finish the season in 17th place, the turnaround in performance following their loss to Crvena Zvezda shows that Virtus has the ability to bounce back from adversity. With the right adjustments and continued focus, the future could be bright for Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Whether they can challenge for higher honors in future seasons will depend on how well they build on their recent improvements and continue to evolve as a team.

As for Ivanovic, his leadership and ability to inspire his players will be key in guiding them toward greater success in the seasons to come. The changes made after the Crvena Zvezda loss were significant, but the challenge now is to ensure that this transformation lasts and takes Virtus back to where they belong: competing at the top of Italian and European basketball.