By Bastian Teinert
The Euroleague starts tomorrow with the German duel: Bayern against Alba (8.30 p.m.).
The Munich team has to forget the sensational defeat in Oldenburg (67:77), the Berliners come to the BMW Park with two clear victories at the start of the Bundesliga.
Andrea Trinchieri, here with Nihad Djedovic after losing the 2022 final against Alba. In his three years with Munich, they never became German champions
Advantage, Alba? Think! If Bayern’s former coach Andrea Trinchieri (55) has his way, Alba only plays for honor in Europe!
The Italian, who accompanies the Euroleague as an expert for the Italian DAZN branch, is tough: “16 to 17 teams will fight for the playoffs, half of which are real contenders.” However, Trinchieri sees no chance for Alba Berlin and ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne! He even puts Alba in 18th and last place in Europe’s premier class, “because ASVEL is better than Alba”.
Because Luke Sikma is gone, Trinchieri doesn’t believe in Alba Photo: picture alliance/Eibner Press
Trinchieri is a Euro veteran and knows what he’s talking about. The Italian coached Bayern from summer 2020 until the end of last season. FCB reached the Euroleague quarter-finals in 2021 and 2022, but narrowly failed to make it into the Final4 tournament in both years.
Why does he see Alba as having no chance?
Trinchieri: “The Berliners are in complete rebuilding mode. Sikma’s departure was crucial for their system. It’s not easy to find a player who averages 8 to 9 points and 7 to 8 assists.”
Luke Sikma (34) wore the Alba jersey for six years, was captain and the central player in the Alba system. In the summer he left Berlin and signed with the top Euroleague team Olympiakos Piraeus.
“Ibaka in the autumn of his career”
Last season, Alba and Bayern finished tied for 15th and 16th place (11 wins, 23 defeats each). However, many teams in the Euroleague have upgraded significantly, not least Bayern with star coach Pablo Laso (55) and ex-NBA champ Serge Ibaka (34).
Trinchieri also has a clear opinion about Ibaka: “He is in the autumn of his career, but he has helped teams win or play for titles. If he is healthy and learns to adapt to European basketball, he can be selected for the All-Euroleague First Team.”