Real Madrid finished the 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season as the runner-up after it fell just short in the championship game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul. The departure of head coach Pablo Laso shocked the basketball world in the off-season, with assistant Chus Mateo being promoted to replace the two-time EuroLeague champion. Going into the new EuroLeague campaign, and after signing the likes of Sergio Rodriguez, Mario Hezonja and Dzanan Musa, Los Blancos are optimistic about fighting for the European crown, which it has not hoisted in the last four seasons.
BACKCOURT
The veteran trio of Sergio Llull, Fabien Causeur and Rudy Fernandez should provide the team with a scoring punch and leadership on the court. In particular, Causeur reminded Real of his talents in the Final Four semifinal against FC Barcelona last season, when he scored 18 points to send Los Blancos to the final. Nigel Williams-Goss had a strong first season with Los Blancos that he will look to build on. In the coming campaign, 21-year-old guard Carlos Alocen will be eager to put his injuries behind him and earn more playing time after featuring in nine EuroLeague games in 2021-22. The return of Sergio Rodriguez to the club should be a big boost in the backcourt, too. The 36-year-old supersub should make life easier for Real's other guards - as well as its big men. Another veteran, swingman Adam Hanga, can play any of the perimeter positions and the former EuroLeague Best Defender can make his mark felt at either end of the floor, and Alberto Abalde's versatility and shooting make him a valuable backcourt piece, too.