Alimpijevic Defends Zizic: Harsh Response to Criticism

Beşiktaş head coach Dusan Alimpijevic reacted to the harsh criticism directed at Ante Zizic. Speaking to Duhuliye.com after the match, the coach said he would not stop protecting his player.

Beşiktaş beat Virtus Bologna away in the ninth week of EuroLeague, with Conor Morgan's last-second three-pointer. The win was the team's fourth victory in EuroLeague this season.

Alimpijevic described Zizic's decision to stay in the EuroCup rather than move to EuroLeague last summer as a great example of character. He reminded that the player played an important role in reaching the finals in both the league and the EuroCup. He said he found such merciless criticism unacceptable.

The coach recalled the successful period in the EuroCup over the last three years and asked why members of the press who did not follow or write about the team during that time are so critical today. Stressing that Beşiktaş is competing at the top of Europe in EuroLeague this season, Alimpijevic argued that criticism over a small setback is unfair. He also questioned whether the criticism was aimed only at him or was made after watching the basketball the team plays.