An exciting week saw the UEFA Champions League and Europa League group stages kick off, with many clubs getting ready for a busy portion of their 2016-17 schedule.
We look at five key matches around the European leagues this weekend.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – CHELSEA vs. LIVERPOOL
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH – STAMFORD BRIDGE
Chelsea play host to Liverpool on Friday evening with a clash of philosophies in store to make for an intriguing encounter.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte brings his side into the encounter looking to rebound from a disappointing 2-2 draw at Swansea City last week. On the other end of the spectrum, Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp are flying high after an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Leicester City.
Conte’s defensive tactics against Klopp’s high-press system should make for an entertaining match.
LA LIGA – CD LEGANES vs. BARCELONA
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH – ESTADIO MUNICIPAL DE BUTARQUE
When Barcelona and manager Luis Enrique looked at the upcoming schedule last week to find consecutive matches against newly promoted clubs, one would assume they felt confident in finding victories in both contests.
But Deportivo Alaves had other ideas.
A 2-1 home loss shocked the Camp Nou, and Barca will need to rebound against Leganes Saturday afternoon. After the 7-0 destruction of Celtic midweek in the Champions League, MSN should be up to the challenge.
BUNDESLIGA – BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs. WERDER BREMEN
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH – BORUSSIA-PARK
It was a tough week for Borussia Monchengladbach and their supporters. A downpour of rain and lightning saw their Champions League tie at Manchester City get pushed back to Wednesday evening. The downpour came in a different manner that night in a 4-0 loss to begin the competition’s group stage.
The Foals and manager Andre Schubert will look to get back into form at home against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Despite two losses in their first two matches, Werder Bremen and American forward Aron Johannsson will be looking to get a victory in an important early season game in the German top flight.
LIGUE 1 – MARSEILLE vs. OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH – STADE VELODROME
Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance in France’s Ligue 1 is on shaky ground at the moment. With the title-holders struggling to start 2016-17, two of the league’s bigger clubs can take a big step towards the top of the table when Marseille hosts Lyon on Sunday.
Marseille and manager Franck Passi will be relying on forward Bafetimbi Gomis to lead the way. On loan from Swansea City, the talented striker has two goals already on the campaign.
Lyon will look to counter with French international and summer Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette, who is coming off of consecutive 20 goal seasons in league play.
SERIE A – INTERNAZIONALE vs. JUVENTUS
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH – SAN SIRO
The Derby d’Italia.
One of the most anticipated matches in Italian football this year takes place on Sunday, when Inter Milan host defending league champions Juventus.
After a strong fourth-place finish in 2015-16, Inter replaced Roberto Mancini with new manager Frank de Boer. Results have been mixed thus far, with the Nerazzurri gaining four points from their first three matches.
Captain Mauro Icardi will look to continue where he left off in their last league match, scoring two goals in their 2-1 win at Pescara.
The Bianconeri will look to forward Gonzalo Higuain to stay hot, after two goals in their game against Sassuolo. Juventus have three wins in their first three matches as they look towards another Serie A title.