PARIS, Oct 16, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A resurgent AC Milan are looking to reclaim
local bragging rights, while Hoffenheim target another big scalp in the
Bundesliga and an awkward assignment awaits Barcelona.
AFP Sport picks out some of the standout action in Europe this weekend:
– Can Hoffenheim do it again? –
Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund, Saturday 1330 GMT
Hoffenheim made headlines last month when they beat Bayern Munich 4-1. On
Saturday the side coached by ex-Bayern reserve boss Sebastian Hoeness are
looking to get the better of Borussia Dortmund.
Both sides have taken six points from their first three games, and this
match brings together two of the hottest strikers in Europe.
Erling Braut Haaland has been a sensation for Dortmund and scored twice in
their 4-0 win over Freiburg last time out. But the Bundesliga’s top scorer is
Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric with six goals, plus two more in the German Cup.
Kramaric, who was in goal-scoring form for Croatia over the international
break, netted all the goals when Hoffenheim won 4-0 in Dortmund on the final
day of last season.
– Milan confident ahead of derby –
Inter v AC Milan, Saturday 1600 GMT
AC Milan have not beaten Inter in Serie A in eight attempts since a 3-0
victory in January 2016. They have lost their last four meetings and have
only finished above their local rivals once in seven years.
But there is belief among the Rossoneri that the tide might be turning in
Milan ahead of Saturday’s “Derby della Madonnina”.
Antonio Conte’s Inter pushed Juventus closer than anyone else last season
and have started this campaign with seven points out of nine. However, Milan
have won three out of three to sit joint-top with Atalanta. On Saturday they
will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic back after coronavirus.
“The gap with Inter has been reduced, because the club did well in the
transfer market, although Inter have also strengthened,” Milan goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma told Sky Italia.
“(Coach Stefano) Pioli is doing great things and now we need to go out on
the field and show that the gap has been reduced.”
– Napoli aim to bounce back –
Napoli v Atalanta, Saturday 1300 GMT
Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli are hoping to get back on track after their
aborted trip to Juventus before the international break.
They did not turn up for the game in Turin after two positive coronavirus
cases, instead remaining in isolation on the instructions of local health
authorities.
As a result they were handed a 3-0 defeat and docked a point, a setback for
a side who won their first two game this season.
They could not have asked for a tougher test this weekend, however, as
Atalanta head to the San Paolo fresh from winning their first three games and
scoring 13 goals.
– Messi to be rested? –
Getafe v Barcelona, Saturday 1900 GMT
After helping Argentina to a World Cup qualifying win in Bolivia, and ahead
of Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Ferencvaros, Lionel Messi
could start on the bench at Getafe in La Liga.
The game will be an awkward one for Ronald Koeman’s side, who have taken
seven points from a possible nine in La Liga and host Real Madrid in the
first Clasico of the campaign next weekend.
Madrid are already three points ahead of Barca, albeit having played a game
more, and they appear to have a more straightforward assignment this weekend
against Cadiz.
– ‘Classico’ time –
Sporting v Porto, Saturday 1930 GMT
The first ‘Classico’ of the Portuguese season goes ahead in Lisbon on
Saturday when Sporting host champions Porto, and the biggest winners could be
Benfica.
It is the latter who top the early table, with their two great rivals both
three points behind.
Sporting may be the club where the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno
Fernandes once starred, but they have not won the title since 2002 and have
not beaten Porto in over four years.
They may stand a chance here, though, if Porto — who sold full-back Alex
Telles to Manchester United just before the transfer deadline — have their
focus diverted towards their upcoming Champions League clash with Manchester
City.