It's time for the Derby d'Italia, and I guess it's also time for the debuts of Manchester City and Liverpool's big signings who arrived on the last day of August, when the summer transfer window in the top leagues ended.
The most important thing is on Saturday in the Apennines - in a big clash in the 3rd round of Serie A, Juventus and Inter will meet (tonight at 18 pm), rivals who went into the international break in different moods.
The "Old Lady" won six points in the first two rounds (against Parma and Genoa), while the Milanese giants, after an initial convincing triumph over Torino, disappointed at home and lost to Udinese.
- For me, Inter still has the best team in Italy. The derby is always special and a win never brings just three points. It means something more - said Juve coach Igor Tudor.
Juve strengthened their attack at the end of the transfer window, with the arrival of Openda and Žegrova, and before them, Dejvid - appetites are growing in Turin, fans believe that their favorites have the quality to fight for the Scudetto, and the duel with Inter is the first real test for the team, which also features Montenegrin international Vasilije Adžić.
- I believe we are stronger than we were. But what we do is much more important than what we say and think - the Croat is clear.
Inter, on the other hand, is an unknown for many, as the summer did not show that the "black and blue" have strengthened their playing staff, which is believed to be mostly spent. However, young expert Kristijan Kivu believes that Inter has something to show.
- These kinds of games are played and decided by champions. My players have shown all these years that they have what it takes - said the Romanian.
The defeat against Udinese shook the confidence...
- It wasn't good in that match, we did some things we shouldn't have done. When you play against Juve, you have a chance to make things right and I'm sure we know how to win - added Kivu, who won the Champions League with Inter 15 years ago as a player.
It will be interesting on the Island too. Alexander Isak signed for Liverpool on August 31st, the same day Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. And it seems like it's time for them to make their debuts - the reigning champions visit Burnley on Sunday at 15pm, while City play the city derby against United at 17.30pm.
- Don't expect Isak to play 90 minutes in every match. That certainly won't be the case in the coming weeks. He missed pre-season and three, four months of team training... We have to gradually bring him back - said Reds manager Arne Slot.
- We didn't bring him in for two weeks, but for six years. The fans have to keep that in mind if I take him out of the game or if he only gets a few minutes. We're doing everything for his long-term health - said the Dutchman.
Liverpool won nine points in three rounds, while City only three - they are in a mini-series of two defeats because Tottenham and Brighton were better.
- I'm looking forward to the game against United, I think it's the right moment to show what we can do - says Pep Guardiola.
Donnarumma is expected to be in goal.
- I always adapt to the qualities of the players and we will not force Điđ to do what moves him out of comfort. It is not easy to succeed Ederson, who is one of the best goalkeepers ever when it comes to distributing the ball, but Donnarumma is a top-notch goalkeeper and has a lot of quality - said the Catalan.
In La Liga, Real hosts Sociedad today, Atletico is aiming for its first win of the season against Villarreal, while Barcelona welcomes Valencia on Sunday.
Bonus video:
