From Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 February, soccer fans will not be able to take their eyes off their screens. The European championships offer several very big appointments. If we usually highlight the three matches to follow, Sport News Africa details this time four clashes not to be missed this weekend.
Madrid Derby
The Spanish championship is the first to enter the scene regarding this weekend of fire. This Saturday, February 24, Real Madrid hosts Atletico for the Madrid derby (17:30 GMT). This clash of the 23rd day of La Liga is already crucial. The Merengues (2nd, 51 pts) are 8 points behind the leader, FC Barcelona. They must not let any more points slip away. Nevertheless, Karim Benzema's teammates are coming in full of confidence after their masterclass at Anfield against Liverpool (5-2). In addition, the White House remains on 7 wins and 4 draws in the last 11 games against Atletico, including 4 wins in the last 4 meetings.
However, the teammates of Antoine Griezmann will not come as an expiatory victim. Fourth in the championship (41 pts), the Colchoneros remain on 5 wins and a draw in La Liga.
Bayern-Berlin, double or nothing
Usually, in the Bundesliga, there is Bayern Munich and the others. Not so this season. The Bavarians are indeed challenged. And not only by one team. Sadio Mané's teammates are certainly leaders with 43 points. But they are tied with Union Berlin and Dortmund. While Freiburg, 4th, is only three points behind, while Leipzig 5th, is only four units behind. This is good news, for the 22nd day of the championship, Bayern receives Union Berlin this Sunday, February 26 (16H3 GMT). This could be the turning point of the season in Germany.
Union Berlin's story is why we love football 👏
- Back-to-back relegations in 2004 and 2005
- Fans committed over 140,000 hours of free labor to rebuild the stadium
- First Bundesliga promotion in 2019
- Top of Bundesliga in 2023
- Eliminate Ajax from Europa League to reach R16 pic.twitter.com/t9X2GL7O7s— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 24, 2023
Tottenham-Chelsea
At Chelsea, Potter is looking to find his magic again. The Blues are a worrying 10th lace in the league. So, the urgency is there. And it comes this weekend with a London derby at Tottenham (4th). The Blues are also lacking inspiration offensively. They have scored only 3 goals in 2023. The trip to the Surs is already crucial. First of all, for a qualification in the Champions League. Then to justify the huge investment of the winter mercato (more than 300 million euros). See you Sunday at 16:30 GMT.
OM-PSG
The Stade Velodrome will put on its light clothes this Sunday February 26th. Olympique de Marseille will host Paris Saint-Germain for the clash of the 25th day of the French championship. Second with 52 points, the Phocéens are five points behind their Parisian rival. The opportunity is good to come back and to dream of a championship title. Especially since the current momentum is favorable to the teammates of Chancel Mbemba. Marseille has lost only one match in Ligue 1 since October.
Moreover, the Olympians beat PSG in the French Cup on February 8 (2-1). While on the other side, the Francilians have already lost 3 times in Ligue in 2023 (to Lens, Rennes and Monaco) and 5 times in all competitions since January 1st. Nevertheless, the last victory against Lille (4-3) last weekend showed that PSG could rely on its individuality to get through. And with Mbemba (suspended) and Gigot (injured) out, Marseille will be weakened in defense. Whatever, the Velodrome will be hot to push its men.
