Real Madrid hosts Partizan Belgrade at the Movistar Arena this Thursday, October 8, 2026, in a Round 4 EuroLeague matchup that could determine playoff seeding. The game, set to tip off at 20:45 local time (CEST), marks the first home appearance for the Spanish side in this year’s continental campaign, as they look to secure their first victory after an 0-3 start.
Stakes for the winless Real Madrid
Real Madrid enters the game following a difficult opening stretch that saw them fall to Dubai Basketball, Anadolu Efes, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The 102-98 loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv was particularly taxing, as the team failed to hold a comeback after erasing a 22-point deficit, according to reports. This current 0-3 run represents the worst start in the club’s history in the competition, per coverage from Betfair. Despite these struggles, the team arrives with momentum from a hard-fought overtime win against Monbus Obradoiro in the domestic Liga Endesa. The squad also secured a narrow 89-87 victory over Unicaja in domestic play, and notably claimed the Supercopa title against Olympiacos earlier this season. As the team seeks to break its European slump, Pedro Martínez has emphasized: “Somos un equipo en las buenas y en las malas.”
Partizan’s undefeated start
In contrast to the hosts, Partizan Belgrade arrives in Madrid with a perfect 3-0 record. Joan Peñarroya’s side has secured victories over Olimpia Milan, Paris Basketball, and Bayern Munich to join the top tier of the league standings. Marca notes that Partizan is currently one of only four teams to begin the season undefeated, alongside Panathinaikos, Valencia, and Fenerbahce. Carlik Jones has emerged as a primary offensive threat for the Serbian club during this opening phase. Additionally, the team recently extended its strong form with an 83-59 domestic win over Mega Basket in the ABA League.
Injury reports and roster availability
Both teams face significant roster challenges heading into the matchup. Real Madrid head coach Pedro Martínez confirmed that forward Gabriel Deck will miss the game due to an issue with his left shoulder. Usman Garuba is currently listed as a casualty for the hosts. For Partizan, Vanja Marinković and Derek Willis are unavailable, while the status of Lamar Stevens remains uncertain, according to team reporting. Mitar Bosnjakovic is not registered for the EuroLeague, and Jabari Parker is not in Peñarroya's plans.
Coaching perspective on the slump
Addressing the team’s early-season challenges, Pedro Martínez emphasized a focus on incremental improvement rather than immediate panic. “I am not here to ask for patience. I ask for daily work, effort, and that we stay focused on the things that depend on us,” Martínez stated in his pre-match press conference. He added that while the players are concerned, they remain responsible and are actively working to improve their defensive consistency. The coach noted that he sees his players as “worried and responsible” rather than nervous, and stressed that he would be evaluating the team’s progress regardless of the final score in this round.
Viewing options for the EuroLeague round
The match between Real Madrid and Partizan will be broadcast live in Spain on the M+ Vamos channel. Viewers can also access the game online through the official Movistar Plus+ website and mobile application. Official updates and live analysis will be available via ABC.es and Marca.com, with audio coverage provided by Radio MARCA. Additionally, the game is available for streaming via Betfair Live Video.
Historical context of the matchup
Despite the current disparity in form, historical data favors the home team. Marca reports that Real Madrid has won its last five encounters against the Serbian side, including both meetings during the previous season. The upcoming game serves as the first opportunity for the Madrid squad to leverage home-court advantage at the Movistar Arena in this year’s EuroLeague to break their winless streak.
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