As we draw to the close of another international break, players return to their respective teams ready for the start of a run of classic league clashes as well as the return of the Champions League.
Many of the games in September are essential viewing for supporters and it begins with a long-awaited Manchester derby tussle with Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola ready to lock horns once more.
United-City (Saturday 10, 13.30 CET)
The Battle of Manchester opens September on a high. Old Trafford will host the first major duel between Mourinho and Guardiola, the winner of whom is likely to lead the table. Along with Chelsea, both Manchester clubs are the only teams to maintain a 100% record. The absence of Kun Aguero could tip the balance in United's favour.
The Battle of Manchester opens September on a high. Old Trafford will host the first major duel between Mourinho and Guardiola, the winner of whom is likely to lead the table. Along with Chelsea, both Manchester clubs are the only teams to maintain a 100% record. The absence of Kun Aguero could tip the balance in United's favour.
PSG-Arsenal (Tuesday 13, 20.45 CET)
An outstanding Champions League matchup opens this season's European campaign. Unai Emery debuts with the Parisians in the continental showpiece against Arsene Wenger. Lucas Perez could also start in what would be his first game in Europe's premier football competition. The game will have a distinctly Spanish flavour too. In addition to Emery and Lucas, we can marvel at the skills of Jese Rodriguez, Santi Cazorla, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal.
An outstanding Champions League matchup opens this season's European campaign. Unai Emery debuts with the Parisians in the continental showpiece against Arsene Wenger. Lucas Perez could also start in what would be his first game in Europe's premier football competition. The game will have a distinctly Spanish flavour too. In addition to Emery and Lucas, we can marvel at the skills of Jese Rodriguez, Santi Cazorla, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal.
Juventus-Sevilla (Wednesday 14, 20.45 CET)
Jorge Sampaoli's Sevilla head to Juventus looking to derail the aspirations of a Scudetto champion who also wants to reign in Europe. They may no longer have Paul Pogba or Alvaro Morata, but they can boast a side with Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic, Medhi Benatia and Dani Alves. The Spaniards want to shine themselves on the biggest stage and are boosted by players such as Samir Nasri, Franco Vazquez, Pablo Sarabia, Paulo Ganso and Luciano Vietto. These are players who will give everything in order to reach the knockout rounds.
Jorge Sampaoli's Sevilla head to Juventus looking to derail the aspirations of a Scudetto champion who also wants to reign in Europe. They may no longer have Paul Pogba or Alvaro Morata, but they can boast a side with Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic, Medhi Benatia and Dani Alves. The Spaniards want to shine themselves on the biggest stage and are boosted by players such as Samir Nasri, Franco Vazquez, Pablo Sarabia, Paulo Ganso and Luciano Vietto. These are players who will give everything in order to reach the knockout rounds.
Chelsea-Liverpool (Friday 16, 21.00 CET)
Unusually for the Premier League, we have a Friday night game - the long-awaited face-off between Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp. Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool play European competition this season hence the change of date for the Stamford Bridge classic.
Inter-Juventus (Sunday 18, 18.00 CET)
This staple Italian fixture comes to life early in the season - on match day four. Frank de Boer faces his first big test at the helm of the 'Nerazzurri.' Joao Miranda, Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic already know what to expect against the 'Old Lady', and they're joined by newcomers Joao Mario, Antonio Candreva and Ever Banega.
Unusually for the Premier League, we have a Friday night game - the long-awaited face-off between Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp. Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool play European competition this season hence the change of date for the Stamford Bridge classic.
Inter-Juventus (Sunday 18, 18.00 CET)
This staple Italian fixture comes to life early in the season - on match day four. Frank de Boer faces his first big test at the helm of the 'Nerazzurri.' Joao Miranda, Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic already know what to expect against the 'Old Lady', and they're joined by newcomers Joao Mario, Antonio Candreva and Ever Banega.
Sevilla-Betis (Tuesday 20, 22.00 CET)
A Laliga classic in Seville. This season the Andalusian derby will have a special South American touch - Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli is Argentinian and Real Betis coach Gus Poyet is Uruguayan. It will add something to a game which already has plenty of tension.
A Laliga classic in Seville. This season the Andalusian derby will have a special South American touch - Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli is Argentinian and Real Betis coach Gus Poyet is Uruguayan. It will add something to a game which already has plenty of tension.
Barcelona-Atletico (Wednesday 21, 22.00 CET)
One of the best games of any Laliga season. The champion of 2014 against the 2015 and 2016 winner. MSN against Jan Oblak and Diego Godin. Saul-Koke-Gabi trying to stop Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro to test Marc-Andre ter Stegen. It's a rematch of the quarterfinals of last seasons Champions League, when the Rojiblancos eliminated Barcelona.
United-Leicester (Saturday 24, 13.30 CET)
The reigning champions visit Old Trafford to try to avenge the defeat in the Community Shield (2-1). Ranieri has the difficulty of maintaining, competitively speaking, the dream of Leicester also playing the Champions League. Manchester United will already have debuted in the Europa League (Thursday 15, against Feyenoord).
One of the best games of any Laliga season. The champion of 2014 against the 2015 and 2016 winner. MSN against Jan Oblak and Diego Godin. Saul-Koke-Gabi trying to stop Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro to test Marc-Andre ter Stegen. It's a rematch of the quarterfinals of last seasons Champions League, when the Rojiblancos eliminated Barcelona.
United-Leicester (Saturday 24, 13.30 CET)
The reigning champions visit Old Trafford to try to avenge the defeat in the Community Shield (2-1). Ranieri has the difficulty of maintaining, competitively speaking, the dream of Leicester also playing the Champions League. Manchester United will already have debuted in the Europa League (Thursday 15, against Feyenoord).
Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid (Tuesday 27, 20.45 CET)
Real Madrid return to a stadium too familiar in recent years, the Westfalenstadion. It's where Mourinho said goodbye to his dream of reaching the Champions League final thanks to Robert Lewandowski, and also where La Decima was kept alive, due in no small part to the performance of Casemiro. In principle, this match will go a long way to deciding who will finish first in the group.
Real Madrid return to a stadium too familiar in recent years, the Westfalenstadion. It's where Mourinho said goodbye to his dream of reaching the Champions League final thanks to Robert Lewandowski, and also where La Decima was kept alive, due in no small part to the performance of Casemiro. In principle, this match will go a long way to deciding who will finish first in the group.
Atletico-Bayern (Wednesday 28, 20.45 CET)
In the Champions League semifinals last April, Saul turned into Diego Maradona and thanks to Griezmann and Oblak, the dream was kept alive in the Allianz Arena, as Atletico managed to hold on and reach the final. This time, Bayern are coached by Carlo Ancelotti, who beat Atleti in the Lisbon final of 2014.
In the Champions League semifinals last April, Saul turned into Diego Maradona and thanks to Griezmann and Oblak, the dream was kept alive in the Allianz Arena, as Atletico managed to hold on and reach the final. This time, Bayern are coached by Carlo Ancelotti, who beat Atleti in the Lisbon final of 2014.
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