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From Italy to Germany
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It has been an incredible week of fixtures already in the UEFA Champions League. But football never sleeps as domestic football returns. Whether it is El Clásico in Spain, Das Niedersachsen-Derby in Germany, or title challengers fighting it out in Scotland, Italy, and the Netherlands, there are some exciting games to watch this weekend across the globe. Using the expertise of our global team, Transfermarkt takes you around the world to highlight five games you should be watching this weekend.
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Scudetto challengers meet in Italy: Napoli vs Inter Milan
Stefano Buonfino (Content and Community Manager Italy):
Last year, Napoli and Inter fought for the Scudetto until the last day of the season, with the Partenopei getting the better of the Nerazzurri, who were initially considered favorites. Today, Napoli are looking to bounce back after their defeat in Turin and their Champions League debacle against PSV to shake off their crisis. Inter, on the other hand, are flying high in both Italy and Europe and are looking to pass their second test after winning at the Stadio Olimpico. The Nerazzurri had a great first half against Gasperini's Roma, but Nicolò Barella and his teammates struggled in the second.
It remains to be seen how the busy schedule of this period will affect this big match, which has had the same outcome in the last three games: 1-1. Curiously, Napoli and Inter are the only teams in the league, along with Roma, that have not recorded a draw. Napoli are currently struggling in defense, while Inter will be without Marcus Thuram for the assault on Napoli's goal, but are finding goals from youngsters Ange-Yoan Bonny and Pio Esposito. It will be interesting to see who wants to or manages to dictate the game in midfield, as this could be the deciding factor between victory and defeat.
El Clásico: Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Iván Fuente (Content Manager Spain):
Both teams go into El Clásico with some doubts. Although they manage to win their matches one way or another, both teams have problems: Barcelona concedes goals easily, and the defeat in the derby (their first big match of the season) left Madrid with many doubts. Separated by two points in LaLiga, if Madrid wins, it will extend its lead to five points, while Barça could become the new leader if it wins El Clásico.
Hansi Flick, who is yet to lose to Madrid (four wins in four matches), will not be able to take his place on the bench due to the red card he received against Girona. For Xabi Alonso, it will be his first match against Barça as a manager. As a player, it is the team he played against most often (30 times) and lost to most often (15 times). Although Raphinha will be back for the match, Barça will be without Robert Lewandowski and Joan García, while Madrid will definitely be without Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, as well as several other players who are doubtful, especially in defense.
Title clash in the Netherlands: Feyenoord vs PSV Eindhoven
Owen van Leeuwen (Area Manager Netherlands):
It is again a major match in the Eredivisie: Feyenoord against PSV Eindhoven, number one against number two. Two teams that started the season with the same goal: dominate, convince, and take the lead. Feyenoord looks solid, confident, and balanced, while PSV, despite one misstep, the surprising slip against newly promoted Telstar, still shows that it belongs to the absolute top in the Netherlands.
Both teams exude stability. Feyenoord plays with a recognizable intensity, supported by an unyielding defense and an attack that always strikes at the right time. PSV, on the other hand, relies on speed, technique, and the strength of its vanguard, where every chance is deadly.
The memories of last season are still fresh in my mind. Then Feyenoord seemed to be on its way to a convincing victory in De Kuip with a 2-0 lead, but in a crazy final phase, PSV still prevailed: 2-3, with the winning goal deep in injury time by Noa Lang. This season, the roles seem to be close again. Feyenoord has achieved an impressive run at home and knows how to use the crowd behind it like a twelfth man. PSV has shown outdoors that it can strike at times.
A title challenge in Scotland? Heart of Midlothian vs Celtic
Euan Robertson (Content Manager UK):
The Scottish Premiership exciting?! That’s certainly not a statement that would’ve held any accuracy across the last decade, as Celtic have enjoyed a monopoly of Scottish football. The Hoops have been crowned champions in 13 of the last 14 seasons, and in all honesty, there’s rarely been a title race of note. But it could be different this season, and the challenge won’t be posed by Rangers as they are, once again, in turmoil. So, step forward, Hearts.
It’s been over 40 years since a club outside of Glasgow’s two giants have been crowned kings of Scotland - Aberdeen in 1983. Hearts, however, have made an outstanding start to the season and sit at the league summit, five points clear of Celtic after eight games. Hearts’ prospects of completing the unthinkable are propelled by the recent investment from Tony Bloom. The brains behind Brighton and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise’s incredible success pledged €12m into Hearts, and they can crucially benefit from his revolutionary analytics system.
Scots are naturally pessimistic, but even the most reserved Hearts fan can start to dream if they beat Celtic on Sunday and extend their lead to eight points. Hearts have no European football, which is a major advantage, and there’s significant unrest at Celtic with pressure mounting on Brendan Rodgers. And best of all? Our very own Stefan Bienkowski will be in attendance at a rocking Tynecastle.
Das Niedersachsen-Derby: Eintracht Braunschweig vs Hannover 96
Alexander Binder (Editor in Chief Transfermarkt.de):
Thousands of police in action, millions of Euros in costs, complex security concepts, no beer in the stadium, and just 1.5 goals per game—or as you would say in Hannover and Braunschweig: Niedersachsen Derby! At least the 81st edition of the Lower Saxony Derby will see away fans back in the stadium as part of a new security concept.
As almost always, Hannover, who want to be promoted from the 2. Bundesliga, will be traveling to Braunschweig, who are fighting against relegation, as the favorites. In the last three seasons, 96 were unable to score at the EINTRACHT-Stadion, collecting just one point. Only a few 96 players will be aware, though, that the club saw 18 players join and 15 leave last summer.
Another game without a win in Braunschweig could see Hannover’s gap to the promotion spots grow to six points. The club is already in a slump after a good start to the season. Braunschweig collected just one point out of the last three home games. A defeat in the derby could see Braunschweig drop into the relegation zone. The majority of the fans, in the meantime, are hopeful that this time the Niedersachsen-Derby will focus on sporting highlights rather than events off the pitch.
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