Olympiacos – Red Star: A ‘Bloodless’ Defeat but a ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Piraeus

After six consecutive victories, Olympiacos suffered an 81-73 defeat by the Red Star in the 30th competitive game of the Euroleague. However, they remained firmly at the top of the standings. In what has been a remarkable season in Europe, Olympiacos maintains a secure lead in the Euroleague and has practically secured home advantage for the next phase. The loss against Red Star did not harm them but served as a wake-up call for the continuation of their campaign. With four competitive games left before the end of the regular Euroleague season, Olympiacos has the opportunity to learn from this defeat and be ready for the most critical point of the season. Despite the loss, Olympiacos remains the best team during the regular duration of the Euroleague this year. They can compete without undue pressure heading into the final phase of the regular season, consistently holding the top spot. Even with the loss to Red Star, Olympiacos maintained its lead over second place, as Fenerbahçe also lost to Monaco, staying two wins behind. It is unlikely that Piraeus will lose the top position in this year’s Euroleague, ensuring home advantage in the playoffs, which could bring them even closer to the Final 4 in Abu Dhabi. The defeat by Red Star may not have cost Olympiacos, but it was a warning shot for Coach Georgios Bartzokas’ team. The Greek coach referred to his team as ‘ill-disciplined’ during post-match interviews, emphasizing that winning on only brief spurts of good play is unsustainable. Olympiacos is a well-oiled machine in this year’s Euroleague, but all parts must function optimally to succeed. Despite facing numerous injury problems this year, Piraeus seems more threatened by complacency than absences. Against Red Star, individual efforts overwhelmed team play, and a lackadaisical defense early in the game warmed up the Serbian players. These are issues that cannot surface in the crucial games ahead if Olympiacos aims to reach the Euroleague Final 4 and claim the title in Abu Dhabi.