FC Bayern Munich enters its fifth consecutive Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign, and its eighth overall. Last season saw Bayern force a Game 5 against FC Barcelona in the playoffs, but in the end, it was Barca that advanced to the Final Four. Here are some of Bayern's most interesting games heading into the 2022-23 EuroLeague Regular Season.
2022-23 Games to Watch: FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich vs. ALBA Berlin
It is always special when Bayern and ALBA Berlin face each other on a EuroLeague court, with both teams having combined to win the last five German League titles. Last season, Bayern beat ALBA twice in EuroLeague action - 69-82 in Berlin and 62-56 at Audi Dome. Bayern's Andrea Trinchieri and ALBA's Israel Gonzalez have very different coaching philosophies, and that tactical battle makes this game even more fascinating.
FC Bayern Munich vs. FC Barcelona
One of the standout ties from last year's playoffs saw Bayern take Barca, the regular season's top-ranked team, to a Game 5. Bayern was able to defeat Barcelona both at home and on the road, but a couple of key injuries during the series prevented Trinchieri's team from getting over the line. This matchup has everything you expect in a good EuroLeague showdown: lots of good players, two great coaches in Andrea Trinchieri and Sarunas Jasikevicius, and a crowd ready to make the difference at Audi Dome.
FC Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
Bayern and Real Madrid have crossed paths many times in football, but they have not faced each other since 2018, which is when the basketball rivalry between the two first went up a notch. Bayern and Real have played against each other seven times in the last four seasons, with many extraordinary showdowns taking place. Last season, Los Blancos grabbed a 76-80 road win at Audi Dome before Bayern prevailed in the regular season finale in the Spanish capital, rallying from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to top Real 88-97.
Partizan NIS Belgrade vs. FC Bayern Munich
Bayern's trip to take on Partizan NIS Belgrade should be a special occasion for many people in the visiting camp. Coach Trinchieri worked for Partizan but two seasons, leading the team to back-to-back Serbian League championships in 2019 and 2020, while Ognjen Jaramaz and Vladimir Lucic also played for Partizan in the past. Oddly enough, both teams have only previously faced each other in the 2013-14 season, exchanging home wins in the EuroCup Top 16. Up against Zeljko Obradovic's team in Belgrade, it should be a fantastic atmosphere.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. FC Bayern Munich
It is always hard to play against the reigning champion, but Bayern has an extra mental hurdle in its way when it faces Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Shane Larkin beat the EuroLeague's all-time scoring record in a game against Bayern back on November 29, 2019, recording 49 points in a 104-75 blowout victory. Bayern has done much better against Efes since then, winning both of their showdowns in the 2020-21 campaign before going one and one against Efes last season, winning 83-71 in Munich before later losing 81-76 in Istanbul.