PARIS, Sept 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Lionel Messi will be back in a Barcelona
shirt in La Liga, while Inter Milan begin their bid to end Juventus’ grip on
the Serie A title and potential challengers face off in Germany and France.
AFP Sport picks out some of the standout action in Europe this weekend:
– Eyes on Messi on Koeman debut –
Barcelona v Villarreal, Sunday 1900 GMT
Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona for at least one more year and on
Sunday he will be the centre of attention as the Catalans belatedly kick off
their campaign in La Liga.
The game, behind closed doors, against Unai Emery’s Villarreal is also new
coach Ronald Koeman’s first competitive outing in charge after one of the
most turbulent summers in Barcelona’s history.
While Messi stayed against his will, Luis Suarez has departed for Atletico
Madrid, following Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Nelson Semedo out of the
door. Miralem Pjanic and the Portuguese international Trincao have come in.
Barcelona are a team in transition but there is no doubt that, as long as
Messi is still there, anything is possible.
“Barca are a great side. I’m pleased that Messi has stayed and that we will
continue to enjoy having him in La Liga,” said Emery, whose own team has
already played twice, winning one and drawing one.
– Inter with point to prove –
Inter Milan v Fiorentina, Saturday 1845 GMT
Antonio Conte’s Inter get their Serie A campaign underway against
Fiorentina at San Siro having been given the opening weekend off due to their
run to the Europa League final last month.
The Nerazzurri lost that game to Sevilla and also finished a point behind
Juventus in the Serie A title race, so now their aim is to end the Turin
side’s long domination of Italian football.
With Juve having beaten Sampdoria 3-0 in Andrea Pirlo’s first game as a
coach, Inter need to get off to a good start and there will be plenty of
focus on the new arrivals: Vidal but also Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan full-
back signed from Real Madrid for 40 million euros ($44.9m) after impressing
on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
– Bayern’s rivals left to rebuild –
Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig, Saturday 1330 GMT
The Bundesliga is a hugely entertaining league but once again there are
doubts as to whether any team can seriously threaten Bayern Munich’s
hegemony.
Dortmund are the most likely contenders, while it remains to be seen if
Leverkusen or Leipzig can mount a real challenge this time.
Leipzig finished third last season and reached the Champions League semi-
finals. Leverkusen were fifth, just behind Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig remain the last team to hold Bayern while Peter
Bosz’s Leverkusen are the last side to beat the Bavarians in Munich. But both
teams lost their star player over the summer, with Leipzig’s Timo Werner and
Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz moving to Chelsea.
So can they successfully replace them and compete again?
Leipzig this week paid Crystal Palace 20 million euros ($23m) for Alexander
Sorloth, who is a direct Werner replacement. Meanwhile, Leverkusen recently
signed Czech forward Patrik Schick from Roma. He was on loan at Leipzig last
season.
Nagelsmann’s side were 3-1 winners against Mainz on the opening weekend but
Leverkusen were held 0-0 at Wolfsburg. Saturday’s clash, before a limited
crowd, will provide a measure of where both sides currently stand.
– Can somebody new challenge in France? –
Saint-Etienne v Rennes, Saturday 1500 GMT
While Paris Saint-Germain have endured a slow start to their French title
defence having been handicapped by a coronavirus outbreak, suspensions and
injuries, there is a fresh look for now at the top of Ligue 1.
Saint-Etienne and Rennes are level on points at the summit and they meet on
Saturday amid hope that this campaign does not simply turn into another PSG
procession.
Nobody realistically believes Saint-Etienne can add to their record tally
of 10 titles though, even if manager Claude Puel is so far enjoying some
success after overhauling his squad and promoting youth.
Rennes are a more interesting case, and not just because in 17-year-old
midfielder Eduardo Camavinga they have possibly the hottest young property in
world football.
The Brittany side finished third in the last, curtailed season and have
been busy investing ahead of a first appearance in the Champions League. They
have just sold goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Chelsea, but they are certainly
going to be worth watching this season.