By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna star Marco Belinelli looks forward to seeing his team make that extra step next season that will lead to the EuroLeague playoffs.
“The key will be the physical part, getting to feel good in the period from January to March,” Belinelli said per Bologna Basket. “On paper, we want to do better than last year, even if until December and early January we had a great EuroLeague run.”
“There are at least six top teams – also from an economic point of view – very strong on paper,” the Italian veteran added.
Virtus started the 2024-25 with a bang to establish themselves in the Top 4 in the standings. The team gradually began losing ground in the second leg of the regular season and ultimately finished 10th in the standings to barely make the Play-In tournament.
Ultimately, Virtus lost to Baskonia and didn’t manage to advance to the playoffs. “We paid a lot for the simultaneous absence of Hackett and Cordinier, failing to win those 2-3 games that would’ve allowed us to fight for the 6th-7th place,” Belinelli mentioned.
Over the summer, Virtus made several changes in the roster that also included the major signing of former EuroLeague Final Four MVP Will Clyburn.
“I’m very happy with this acquisition,” Belinelli commented. “We all know him. He won the EuroLeague and was the best for years in his position. He comes from a complicated year so he has a lot of motivation to do well with the Virtus jersey.”