Peñarroya in search of his first win: What can Partizan do against Monaco?

Partizan enter the game with a 6–13 record, while Monaco are considerably better placed (12–7) and come in off three straight wins, making them one of the most consistent teams in the competition this season. 

This will be the eighth meeting between the clubs in history, with Partizan holding the head‑to‑head advantage (5–2 overall), but Monaco are the favorites in the current matchup under coach Vassilis Spanoulis. 

Monaco, who reached the EuroLeague Final Four last season, have been in good form lately. In their most recent game they beat Barcelona convincingly on the road, 90–74, showcasing the team’s depth and collective strength, with Kevarrius Hayes scoring 15 points and grabbing four offensive rebounds. 

For Partizan, the absence of Tyrique Jones, who has moved to Olympiacos, and the illness absence of Dwayne Washington weakens their frontline. 

A key matchup will be former Monaco player Nick Calathes, now at Partizan, trying to slow down Monaco’s offensive threat Mike James. 

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Partizan, on the other hand, will be weakened by the absence of Dwayne Washington, who is out of the team due to illness.

Washington was the hero of the first encounter between these two rivals this season, leading the Black and Whites to a narrow home victory in Belgrade (78–76) with 22 points—the only bright spot for Partizan in recent weeks.

The Serbian side arrives in Monaco following a loss to Valencia on the road (86–73) and a four‑game losing streak in the EuroLeague, which further complicates matters for new coach Joan Peñarroya, who is still awaiting his first win on Partizan’s bench.

The Spanish coach is well aware of the tough task facing his team.

"We have a challenging week ahead, as we have three difficult away games. Monaco is a strong team with excellent players and an experienced coach. Although there have been changes in the squad, I am glad that we continue to play as a team and strengthen our character," Peñarroya said ahead of the trip to Monaco.

Optimism remains despite the difficult schedule, as returning player Aleksej Pokuševski emphasizes the importance of stability in Partizan’s game.

"It will be very important for us to play consistently, as we did for most of the game against Valencia. I believe we can perform well," Pokuševski stated.

After the Monaco match, Partizan will continue the double‑round with an away game in Barcelona on Friday, January 9, followed by a clash with SC Derby, making this week one of the most demanding of the season so far.

The game in the Principality could serve as an important test of character and potentially a turning point for the Black and Whites in their EuroLeague campaign.