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From Vienna to Avellaneda
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Whether it is the 347th Vienna Derby, El Derbi Madrileño between Real Madrid and Atlético, the Clásico de Avellaneda in Argentina, or a major title clash in Italy, there are some exciting games to watch this weekend across the globe. Using the expertise of our global team, Transfermarkt takes you around the globe to highlight five games you should be watching this weekend.
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347th Vienna Derby: FK Rapid vs Austria Wien
Dorian Schuster (Area Manager Austria):
The 347 Vienna Derby will take place on Sunday, and both teams enter the game under very different circumstances. Rapid, who finished fifth last season, currently dominates the Austrian Bundesliga. Austria, who were third last season, had a poor start to the season and are currently in seventh place. However, the Violets have shown some improvement lately, winning their last three games in a row.
All eyes will be on Rapid’s new head coach, Peter Stöger. Stöger was the last coach to lead rivals Austria to a title back in 2012/13. Last season, the two defeats against Rapid cost Austria their title. As for players, Rapid’s record transfer Tobias Gulliksen is one to watch. For the first time since 2018, Austria will be without their star Dominik Fitz. Fitz was the dominant player in Austria’s only victory over Die Hütteldorfer (2-1) last season. But the playmaker left the club for Major League Soccer this summer.
Scudetto challengers: AC Milan vs Napoli
Stefano Buonfino (Content and Community Manager Italy):
In recent years, Milan and Napoli have rarely competed simultaneously for the championship title. You have to go back to the days of Diego Maradona and Marco van Basten, in the 1980s and 1990s, when these rivals competed for the Scudetto. This year, all the conditions are in place!
Napoli are the reigning Italian champions and have made a strong start with four wins out of four, following several transfers to expand their roster. Milan have restarted under pragmatic coach Max Allegri, revolutionized their squad in the summer transfer window, and will not have to face European campaigns exactly like Napoli did last season, allowing it to save a lot of energy.
Milan and Napoli are two teams that have acquired many players at great expense, although they have financed themselves through significant departures, such as Victor Osimhen or Tijjani Reijnders. Despite this, perhaps the best signings of the summer have been two legends who likely chose Serie A to conclude their careers but are having a significant impact on both teams: Luka Modrić and Kevin De Bruyne.
In any case, we know that Conte and Allegri are not two coaches known for putting on a show on the pitch. The match could be extremely tactical and balanced, waiting for a mistake from the opponent, but it would not be the first time in recent years that these two teams have abandoned tactics in favor of goal-filled matches. Let's hope that this Sunday will be the second scenario.
Ligue 1: OGC Nice vs Paris FC
Ronan Caroff (Area Manager France):
In their pre-season plans, surely both OGC Nice and Paris FC expected to have more than six points after five games played (two wins, three losses). Nice have lost their goalkeeper, Marcin Bulka, and striker Evann Guessand this summer, and the club hasn’t done very well re-investing all the money they received. That’s a curious situation, given that they have a powerful investor in the form of Ineos/Jim Ratcliffe. Nice were also eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers, and beaten 4-1 by Brest last weekend. With all that in mind, Les Aiglons won't host Paris FC in the best mental state.
Meanwhile, the promoted side, backed by Red Bull, scores often (nine times) but also concedes frequently (12 times). They need to score points before a tough run of games. In the next few weeks, Paris FC will face Lyon, Monaco, Rennes, and Lille. I would favour PFC, with all their experienced players. One player to watch is Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal. Kebbal has scored three goals and two assists, blossoming in his third season in Ligue 1.
Madrid Derby: Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid
Iván Fuente (Content Manager Spain):
The Madrid derby comes at a very different time for both teams. Real Madrid are top of the table, Xabi Alonso has brought new blood to the team, and Kylian Mbappé is scoring plenty of goals, with seven in just six LaLiga matches. Atlético Madrid have yet to get going. Injuries have weakened the team, which has been unable to use all its new signings on the pitch. Additionally, the team is weak in defense and struggles to score goals.
A bad mix. If we add to that the fact that this is the first derby since Julián Álvarez's penalty incident, the match takes on much more importance and emotion for Atlético, who could be out of the title race if they lose, than for Real Madrid. Although a derby is always a derby... and the last ten head-to-head matches have been completely even: three wins each and four draws. And the same number of goals: 17 goals each.
Clásico de Avellaneda: Racing Club vs Independiente
Scott Christensen (Area Manager Argentina & South America):
Racing Club is more focused on the Copa Libertadores, but a derby is a derby. A fact to consider is that they have the two most valuable players in the Argentine League: Kevin Lomónaco (Independiente) and Juan Ignacio Nardoni (Racing). The home team has probably been the best in Argentina over the last year, but they have been very irregular in the second half of the season, currently sitting 10th in their Argentine Torneo Clausura group. They have one of the strongest squads in Argentina, but several key players need to improve their performances.
Adrián Martínez is by far their most important player, he's been the best in Argentina over the last year and his goalscoring capability is impressive - since he arrived to Racing he's provided 62 scorer points 82 games, not the best numbers if you compare to Haaland, Messi or Ronaldo but it's actually insane for a player in Argentina to have this numbers as our league is very competitive.
Independiente seemed to have finally found the track last semester, but everything's going wrong in this half of the season, and their coach has left, leaving Independiente in last place of Group B with 8 games played. They desperately need a win against Racing, as the climate at the club is quite heated due to poor results and elimination from the Copa Sudamericana following the incidents against U. de Chile. They need to improve significantly in many aspects, but primarily in attack, as they have scored just five goals in eight games. Given that this is a game in which they can change their negative tendency, I believe they will be more offensive in their pursuit of victory.
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