Inside: What went wrong with Virtus this season – Basketball Sphere will attempt to answer all these questions in an exclusive story containing elements of information from sources close to the Italian giant.

The situation in which Virtus finds itself is one of the central topics in European basketball this season. A poor start in the EuroLeague, followed by a breakup with Luca Banchi, the arrival of Dusko Ivanovic, and media attacks from all sides…

The EuroLeague standings show a rather unpleasant 7-23 record, a string of failures in the Serie A, and reports of tensions between the sports sector, coach, and players…

What went wrong for the biggest surprise of the first part of last season, and how did the Bologna giant find itself in such a position? When and how did it all begin? What is the truth, and what is an attempt to destabilize the club? What does all of this mean in light of the upcoming match against Crvena Zvezda?

Basketball Sphere will attempt to answer all these questions in an exclusive story containing elements of information from sources close to the Italian giant.

Just under a year ago, it was revealed that Virtus owner Massimo Zanetti sold 50 percent of his stake in the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group (MZBG) to the company QuattroR. MZBG also owns the Segafredo company, Virtus’ main sponsor. As Zanetti’s absolute control was diminished by this move, numerous speculations about the future of the two-time European champion began.

Currently, there is a dual power structure in Virtus – Zanetti’s Segafredo holds one stake in ownership, while CRIF, owned by Carlo Gherardi, now holds 45 percent, up from 40. All of this combined made last summer incredibly challenging for the club. The situation was seen as a disaster – the withdrawal of Segafredo, the main sponsor, from Virtus, and preparations began for the arrival of new owners, which would mark a new chapter for Virtus in Bologna.

According to numerous European media reports, an Israeli group was interested in taking over Virtus, and that’s when the first problems arose in preparing for the upcoming season. Rumors about Sasa Djordjevic potentially taking over as head coach began to spread, intensifying the criticism of Luca Banchi. It is said that certain media outlets tried to destabilize Zanetti in order to pave the way for a new faction to potentially take control of the club, without considering Gherardi, with whom Zanetti had a very good relationship. This was confirmed by the club’s leadership.

“I’ve never met anyone from Israel, and I haven’t negotiated. I haven’t even received an offer in writing. Sasa Djordjevic’s agent and Luca Baraldi spoke. He probably wanted to bring his client to coach Virtus. They went for lunch. But I’m not interested in that. What I do is the only thing that matters because I’m the president, not the ones talking around. If an agent goes around talking about offers, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Anyone can say anything. Where are the Israelis now? The Americans? I’d like to see them, where are they?” Zanetti asked.

For Virtus, the ownership issues were the last thing they needed, which is why the club had to release an official statement stating that there would be no withdrawal or sale. However, the damage had already been done.

It is well-known that the Italian team is in a very difficult position when it comes to the transfer window. They don’t have a guaranteed spot in the EuroLeague, so they must wait for shareholder decisions about the upcoming season. Furthermore, Virtus is known as the lower-budget team in EuroLeague terms, so maneuvering space is minimal.

The sports sector, led by general manager Paolo Ronci and coach Banchi, worked hard to use their connections to bring in a number of quality players who would form the core of the team for the upcoming period. And they succeeded. Or so it seemed at first. So where was the problem? According to Basketball Sphere’s sources, Virtus had agreed to bring in high-profile signings for the backcourt positions, players currently dominating the EuroLeague. However, this could not be realized because the budget was not clear.

And when other quality names were brought in, the peace within the club didn’t last, reaching a climax when some media outlets launched a stronger attack on Zanetti and Ronci, criticizing the signings of Ante Zizic and Will Clyburn, presenting the EuroLeague superstar as unprepared for the upcoming season’s challenges. That’s when Virtus’ president had to say – enough. He used his significant influence and power to remove Baraldi, which led to a sudden halt in the media attacks.

According to Basketball Sphere’s sources, it was also hesitated regarding one of the most wanted players in Europe this summer, and Virtus’ best player, Tornike Shengelia, who was seriously pursued by Crvena Zvezda and Panathinaikos. In the case of offers from the reigning EuroLeague champion, there were constantly changes about the buyout amount. When all was said and done, Zanetti had to make the decision to part ways with his long-time collaborator Baraldi.

“There are no problems in Virtus. I am proud to be the owner, and I will continue to be. I have a very good relationship with my partner Carlo Gherardi. Right now, the situation at the club is excellent. The problems we are facing on the court this season are also related to the negativity surrounding the club last summer, mostly due to certain media and some people inside. From now on, there will be a clear separation between the financial and sports sectors. If you want to talk about the roster, you will talk to Ronci,” were Zanetti’s words, making it clear what the power distribution would be.

This is the backdrop to Virtus entering this season. Under these circumstances, it was probably logical that success wouldn’t come easily in the EuroLeague, which is why Banchi resigned, realizing that he had tried but was unable to improve the situation. Dusko Ivanovic replaced him. After the so-called “Dusko effect” and victories at the start, problems began for the Montenegrin coach. Ivanovic had difficulties with the absence of key players like Clyburn, so his team’s health situation also didn’t go in his favor.

It seemed like Virtus’ struggles were being watched, waiting for another slip-up so the same group of media outlets could renew their attacks. Ivanovic’s comments after a loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv, calling his players “losers,” were a signal for more reports suggesting tensions between the sports sector and the coach. However, this is not true. While it’s clear that chemistry can’t be perfect with a 7-23 record in the EuroLeague, Virtus maintains a positive outlook on the current coach’s “aura.”

Virtus also received criticism in domestic media for signing Justin Holiday from the NBA. Upon Ivanovic’s approval, the club decided to sign the American after a trial period, despite him not performing well so far, which is somewhat understandable.

Hardly anyone hit the mark with NBA acquisitions this season – Fenerbahce brought in, then released Boban Marjanovic and Skylar Mays, Real Madrid let go of Dennis Smith Jr., and Anadolu Efes didn’t shine with Stanley Johnson, while Monaco parted ways with Furkan Korkmaz…

On the other hand, Milano has been ravaged by injuries, without Josh Nebo and Freddie Gillespie at the most critical moment of the season, and Ettore Messina decided not to react on the market, knowing that it was very thin. Therefore, Virtus emphasizes that Holiday’s poor performance should not be a subject of new negativity, as it is a trend across other teams in the elite league, which are usually financially much stronger.

Rumors about changes in ownership and the departure of Segafredo from Virtus, underestimating Zanetti’s power, the quiet and then the obstructions regarding the transfer window, and assembling a team that didn’t meet the requirements of the highest level, as it turned out. Highlighting just one issue as the root cause would be a one-sided view. Basketball Sphere’s insight into the season so far for the Bologna giant represents a broad spectrum of difficulties faced by a giant aiming to be a regular member of the EuroLeague. Perhaps that uncertainty is the root of all the speculation and obstacles that can affect any club.

The facts are that Virtus was the absolute hit of the first part of last season until they faced numerous injuries, had 11 consecutive wins at home in the EuroLeague, which is difficult even for the best to achieve. The club has a strong tradition as a two-time champion and plans for the future, considering that a new arena is set to be finished by 2026. The deal signed with the arena for the Davis Cup proves this. In three seasons since the new chapter began for Virtus in the EuroLeague, only Zalgiris and new elite member Paris have avoided defeats to the Italian team.

Such is the weight of Virtus at the moment, and with the potential arrival of the famous Maurizio Gherardini, Gherardi’s childhood friend, which is possible, it’s hard to imagine Virtus could be excluded from the elite group, although in the EuroLeague, nothing is ever certain.

Such a Virtus stands in the way of Crvena Zvezda in the 31st round of the EuroLeague, in what is probably the most important game for the Serbian team in recent seasons. With more results-related problems than ever, but still eager to answer all the criticism and issues of the season so far with a win when no one expects it.

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