What a weekend for football fans - four derbies are played in the four strongest leagues - English, Spanish, German and Italian.
Manchester United and Arsenal open the weekend, Dortmund and Bayern continue, then Atletico and Real, and Milan and Inter close on Sunday.
Manchester United - Arsenal (Saturday, 13.30 p.m.)
The rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal took on the dimensions of one of the biggest in England during the reign of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
Fergie is now retired, but the "devils" are led by Wenger's biggest opponent on the Island – Jose Mourinho, who during his stay on the Chelsea bench, had fierce verbal fights with the Arsenal coach, calling him a voyeur, a coach without trophies...
There were even minor physical contacts.
That's why the English media find the coach's duel at the side of the field equally interesting.
"I don't think it is necessary to describe our relationship again. I will fight for my team, he for his. That's it. And we will shake hands. I will extend my hand, because I respect that beautiful custom in the Premier League," he said. is Wenger.
In announcing the match, Jose Mourinho was unusually reserved when he spoke about Wenger...
"First of all, this will be a duel between the two most trophy-winning coaches currently working in the Premier League. We have six or seven titles together. Are we doing the best lately? No, not. Are we getting respect for everything we have done for English football "I think that Wenger has the respect of the English public, unlike me, even though I won the last title a year and a half ago," said Mourinho, who will not be able to count on Ibrahimović (card).
United and Arsenal meet for the 183rd time in history, and the 93rd time at Old Trafford, where Arsenal have not celebrated since 2006.
In the table, the "gunners" are in a much better position - they are in fourth place, with two points less than Liverpool, and they have six points more than United.
Borussia Dortmund - Bayern (Saturday, 18.30)
Bayern, who have not lost in Dortmund since April 2012, will visit the former "Westfalen" on Saturday, while the "millionaires" were still playing to the rhythm of Jurgen Klopp.
Borussia has a lively team again this season, with the great Aubameyang, the super-talented Dembele and Mora, they play fast and attacking, but they oscillate, so I am six points behind the Bavarians, who are unexpectedly followed by Leipzig.
The two great rivals have met for the 105th time so far, and Borussia has one victory less than Bayern on the home field – 17, compared to 18 away triumphs, with 19 draws.
Atletico - Real (Saturday, 20,45:XNUMX)
Atlético and Real are two football opposites – clubs with different profiles, ambitions, fan structures... Glamor on one side, passion and love on the other.
And that's why the duel between two Madrid rivals is more than football.
When it comes to football, suffice it to say that the finalists of the Champions League are meeting.
When it comes to the table - Real expects tomorrow's derby at the top, with six points more than Atlético, who, after a great start, suffered two defeats in the last three rounds.
The math is clear - a victory for the Merengues would probably eliminate the Colchoneros from the race for the title already in November.
The pressure is therefore on Atlético, but Simeone's warriors have shown many times that they are the strongest in such situations.
"Every year Atlético improves. There is a coach who has changed the mentality of the players, they believe in themselves every moment. I like playing against Atlético, it's a big challenge for the coach and the players," said Zinedine Zidane.
Stefan Savić will be the actor of another derby, the premiere of which was seen on December 12, 2006...
Milan - Inter (Sunday, 20.45)
The derby weekend is concluded by Milan and Inter, two Italian floundering giants.
Lost in the race with Juventus, on the sidelines (Inter) or outside the European scene (Milan), the city rivals have not played games that mean much for a long time, except for prestige and a better, but not good enough, position in Serie A.
Still, a classic is a classic, behind the clubs from Milan there are 107 years of rivalry on the field.
The "Rosso-neri" have also shown this season that they are on the right track to return to the top of Italian football, they are third after the 12th round, and have eight points more than Inter, who will be led by Stefano Pioli from the bench for the first time.
"The derby is a great chance to show who we are and to get back into action and the race for a place that leads to the Champions League. We will play with our head, feet and heart. We will fight for every ball, as if it were decisive. That's what I ask of the boys, they have to to fulfill," said Pioli, who succeeded Franco de Boer last Sunday.
Will Stevan Jovetić be on the field? Almost certainly - not from the beginning of the match, and not with a great chance to get significant minutes from the bench.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
