Here are five games that Barca fans can get excited about this season.
2022-23 Games to Watch: FC Barcelona
Hopes were high for FC Barcelona heading into last season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs as it finished with the best regular season record for the second year in a row, but after advancing past Bayern Munich in a five-game series to reach the Final Four, Coach Saras Jasikevicius' team came up short against Real Madrid in the semifinal. Some major tweaks to the roster have been made, with Czech duo Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely both arriving in the offseason, as Barca looks to secure its first EuroLeague title since 2010. Here are five games that Barca fans can get excited about this season.
Round 2: 'Clasico' time
The first date in the calendar that Barcelona fans look for is the Clasico, which pits their team against archrival Real Madrid. Barca did the double over Real in the 2021-22 regular season, but Los Blancos came out on top in the Final Four. Not only will Barca be out to exact revenge, but it will want to secure bragging rights, too.
Round 8: Clash of the titans
Both Barcelona and Anadolu Efes Istanbul are among the favorites to win the 2022-23 EuroLeague title, with Efes head coach Ergin Ataman confident that his team can secure the three-peat. The recent matches between these two teams have been must-watch television, as two of the most talented rosters in the EuroLeague have gone head-to-head. With Vesely, Satoransky, Will Clyburn and Ante Zizic all added into the mix, it should be a lot of fun.
Round 23: Theater on the sidelines
The 2021-22 playoff series between Barcelona and Bayern Munich went to the maximum five games in what was a testament to the coaching ability of Bayern's Andrea Trinchieri. The Italian inspired his players to push Barca right to the limit, but ultimately Bayern ran out of gas at the decisive moment in Game 5. Watching Trinchieri and Jasikevicius, two of the most expressive coaches in the EuroLeague, face off again should be very entertaining for fans at home.
Round 28: An interesting reception in Istanbul
Barcelona announced former Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul center Jan Vesely as its first signing in the offseason, as Coach Jasikevicius wanted a creative big man who can also execute pick-and-roll plays at a high level. On the 32-year-old's first return to face Fenerbahce, he is likely to receive a warm pre-game reception from the home supporters due to his eight seasons of service. However, once tip-off occurs, it could become a hostile environment for Vesely and his new Barcelona teammates.
Round 33: Setting the record straight
AX Armani Exchange Milan had the upper hand against Barcelona last season, winning both of their regular season matchups, and in the offseason, Milan acquired center Brandon Davies from Barca. Like Barcelona, Milan has one of the best rosters in the EuroLeague and is a contender to win the title. Milan won by a total of 7 points across its two games against Barca last season, so expect another tight contest, especially for the penultimate round of the regular season which could have major bearing on the playoff picture.