Virtus Bologna wins without Milos Teodosic: Scariolo discusses team’s challenges

Despite pre-match expectations, Virtus Bologna claimed victory against Varese on Sunday without the presence of Serbian star Milos Teodosic. Teodosic hasn’t played in the championship since April 19, with only 10 appearances in the LBA. He has been managed to ensure 26 appearances in the EuroLeague.

In a press conference, coach Sergio Scariolo said: “It’s devastating, not just for winning one or two more games, but for the reorganization of the team. When he’s playing, it completely changes the way the team operates, as it’s built around him. He’s faced numerous challenges: he’s crucial, but we haven’t had him for the last two months. We’ve tried to hold on, even winning in Milan. Now we have to reintegrate him into the team, adjusting tactically and structurally. We’re here to fight, and we will fight.”

Teodosic has struggled with a series of issues, from a historic hip problem to a calf injury, and most recently, the flu. Scariolo explained, “He’s managed to stay with the team very little, and now we’ll try to increase his autonomy, which is currently limited. We’ll try to raise it by playing him, which exposes the team to a very high risk because we’ll have to give free rein to a player who isn’t in shape but needs to get in shape. We must pass through this valley, and we hope that one round of playoffs will be enough for this.”