Key fixtures of European weekend ahead of Champions League return

The Manchester derby, coming at a delicate phase for both teams, is the highlight of the European weekend before the return of the Champions League, with great anticipation for Gigio Donnarumma’s debut under Guardiola: Manchester United and Napoli in just a few days represent a baptism by fire for the Italian goalkeeper, CE Report quotes ANSA.

Other key fixtures include Arsenal vs. Nottingham, Atletico Madrid vs. Villarreal, Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid, and Leverkusen vs. Frankfurt. Marseille, struggling in the league, is also looking for redemption against Lorient.

England:
The Premier League is dominated by Liverpool, still with a perfect record after three rounds and a record €500 million transfer market investment. The fourth round, however, is highlighted by the Manchester derby. The standings suggest a match between mid-table teams, but Guardiola, six points behind Solskjaer’s team, seeks to climb back. Behind Haaland, the midfield features Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Reijnders, with Donnarumma making his debut after previous errors at Trafford against Tottenham. Manchester United counters with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Mount behind Cunha.

Another key Premier League match is Arsenal vs. Nottingham, with Arsenal looking to recover from a narrow loss to the league leaders. Nottingham, reinforced with new signings Douglas Luiz and Ndoye, has just replaced Espirito Santo with Postecoglou on the bench.

On paper, Liverpool and Chelsea have easier away matches against Burnley and Brentford, respectively. Newcastle, aiming to recover from a slump, hosts Wolves.

Fixtures (England):

• Today: 13:30 Arsenal vs. Nottingham, 16:00 Bournemouth vs. Brighton, Newcastle vs. Wolves, 18:30 West Ham vs. Tottenham, 21:00 Brentford vs. Chelsea

• Sunday 14: 15:00 Burnley vs. Liverpool, 17:30 Man City vs. Man United

Spain:
Barcelona’s draw against Rayo Vallecano forces them to chase Real Madrid. Coach Yamal’s team hopes to rebound with a big win over Valencia, played in front of 6,000 fans at their training center due to the unavailability of the Nou Camp and Montjuic. The standings are unlikely to change much as Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso and at full points, faces a struggling Real Sociedad seven points behind. Atletico Madrid, with the same deficit, takes on Villarreal in the Liga highlight. A new misstep could heavily pressure Simeone despite a strong transfer window. Athletic Club, also unbeaten, hosts Alaves in a relatively easy match.

Fixtures (Spain):

• Today: 21:00 Sevilla vs. Elche

• Tomorrow: 16:15 Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid, 18:30 Athletic vs. Alaves, 21:00 Atletico vs. Villarreal

• Sunday 14: 16:15 Levante vs. Betis, 21:00 Barcelona vs. Valencia

• Monday 15: 21:00 Espanyol vs. Mallorca

Germany:
Before facing Chelsea, Bayern Munich has an easier assignment against newly promoted Hamburg. The biggest match concerns Bayer Leverkusen, five points behind, hosting second-placed Frankfurt.

Leverkusen, weakened by departures of Xhaka, Tah, and especially Wirtz, is in crisis, with coach Ten Haag replaced by Dane Hjulmand. Third-place surprise Cologne plays away at Wolfsburg, Dortmund hosts Heidenheim, and Freiburg, with zero points, faces Stuttgart.

Fixtures (Germany):

• Today: 20:30 Leverkusen vs. Frankfurt

• Tomorrow: 15:30 Freiburg vs. Stuttgart, Mainz vs. Leipzig, Wolfsburg vs. Cologne, Heidenheim vs. Dortmund, 18:30 Bayern vs. Hamburg

France:
PSG sails smoothly, hosting Lens, though coach Luis Enrique fractured his clavicle in a cycling accident, possibly missing the Champions League debut against Atalanta. National team injuries to Dembélé and Doué add to the club’s concerns.

Marseille struggles under De Zerbi, six points behind, seeking redemption against Lorient. Rabiot has left, Pavard arrived. Monaco hosts Auxerre (still without Pogba after a two-year injury), and Lyon visits Rennes.

Fixtures (France):

• Today: 20:45 Marseille vs. Lorient

• Saturday: 17:00 Nice vs. Nantes, 21:05 Auxerre vs. Monaco

• Sunday 14: 15:00 Lille vs. Toulouse, 17:15 PSG vs. Lens, 20:45 Rennes vs. Lyon

Other European Leagues:

• Netherlands: NEC vs. PSV tomorrow at 18:45; Ajax hosts Zwolle tomorrow at 16:30 before Inter visit.

• Portugal: Porto hosts Nacional tomorrow at 19:00; Benfica faces Santa Clara today at 21:15.

• Turkey: Galatasaray plays away at Eyupspor tomorrow at 16:00 seeking a fifth consecutive win. Fenerbahce hosts Trabzonspor on Sunday at 19:00 with new coach Domenico Tedesco replacing the sacked Mourinho.