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With the month of September done and dusted, we are ready for a new month. The month of October has always been an enthralling one for particular reasons. The league season begins to pick up pace, the cup matches come in mid-week and the European nights move in to create a busy schedule for the players. Players have to deal with fatigue and managers have to bench some important players to make sure everyone stays fit. Football is the survival of the fittest. Rotations might be a revelation of a new talent one day and the curse of the team on another.
Anyway, September gave us great memories, some good, some bad. We saw the self-proclaimed “God” Zlatan Ibrahimovic bring up his 500th career goal with an exotic roundhouse kick. We saw Cristiano Ronaldo adapt to his new abode in Italy. We saw Manchester United falling down to perhaps the worst period in the club’s history. We witnessed some fantastic goals, some amazing European nights and we are ready for an even better and enthralling month, where things will move on in full swing.
A football fan is the person who sleeps the lowest amount of time, especially if he or she is in Asia. That is the love for the game and for certain people who play it with full dedication. Since the players give their absolute best on the pitch, we have to sacrifice two hours of sleep. That is the least we can do. Here are 10 matches which will be worth your time and sleeping hours. So save the dates.
#10 Manchester United vs Everton: October 28, 2018
This match is no longer a one sided affair. With the early struggles that United have faced this season, this match will be an important one to get their rhythm right. Everton have some great talents in their side including the Brazilian Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott. United have a fair bit of history with Everton. Their long time striker Wayne Rooney was a former Everton player, Everton’s long serving coach David Moyes managed United with little success. So the teams are not strangers to each other.
Everton’s last victory against the Manchester side came, back in April 2015 and their last win at Old Trafford came in December, 2013 which is when Giggs was still a United player. Strangely, Everton has won only 6 times against Manchester United after 2000. While only one of those six victories came at Old Trafford.
This is Everton’s golden opportunity though. Things are not right at the red half of Manchester and average teams like West Ham and Wolverhampton have snuck away with points at Old Trafford. Everton can beat Manchester United, but it won’t be easy in any way. Their forwards have to pour in everything to beat De Gea and their not-so solid defense has to give Pickford every chance to save the shots fired at him. This will be good to watch, no-nonsense, end to end action.
#9 FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan: October 25, 2018
Two teams with history between them. A rivalry created in a matter of four matches. A rivalry that stood out in 2010, with all the stars, Wesley Sneijder, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Diego Milito and many others, representing both the sides. A pitch laden with 22 men who would lay everything they have got to proceed. FC Barcelona did defeat Inter in the group stages in 2009-10 Champions League but Jose Mourinho wrote a different script for the semi-finals.
With all the anger bursting inside Mourinho due to Barcelona’s rejection of his managerial offer, he decided to settle things on the pitch. And how? He humiliated Barcelona at Milan, locking down the defences but still the away goal tipped the tie towards Barcelona. Barcelona might have been favorites to go through but yet again the impregnable defence brought Barcelona’s downfall.
Sergio Busquets’ play-acting is infamous in that match and so is the sight of Jose Mourinho running unto the pitch to celebrate. It was as if he said, “I told you, now repent”. The Camp Nou was having none of it and the stadium workers opened the sprinklers on Jose. It is still confusing as to who had the last laugh.
But after that tie, Inter has been on the way down and Barcelona have won two more UCL titles. There is more to this match, the battle within the war as we might call it. Phillipe Coutinho was an Inter Milan youngster back in 2010 and now he is Barcelona’s trump card. Mauro Icardi is a little known product of the famed La Masia. And now Icardi is a lead striker for Inter. Barcelona have to face the beast that they themselves created.
Camp Nou has waited for long, for this rematch to arrive but Inter are in much better shape than they were two years back. Luciano Spalletti is a smart man, he knows his players and his football. Luis Suarez and Stefan De Vrij’s faceoff will be amazing and so will be the midfield battle of Perisic and Rakitic.
Worth every single minute.
#8 Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid: October 24, 2018
One of the best home crowds in football, the Signal Iduna Park has been lit up again this season. With Thomas Tuchel’s departure, not many thought Dortmund would be a title threat to overwhelming favorites Bayern Munich. Lucien Favre has done an amazing job in transition for Dortmund till now. He has managed to get Dortmund together as a team, and now they lead the Bundesliga table and perhaps have a shot at the title.
Christian Pulisic is having an absolutely berserk run in the league. Marco Reus and Mario Gotze have found their old rhythm. New additions from two of the the best clubs, Paco Alcacer from Barca and Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid have also added depth to the team.
The fans at Iduna Park deserve good football for their efforts. When Atletico Madrid make a trip to Germany, the trip won’t feel as long as the 90 minutes they stay inside the stadium. They have a humongous turnout and they shout at the top of their voices, psyching oppositions out. If there is somebody who can stay composed even in that atmosphere, it is Diego Simeone. He has to draw the line between order and chaos for his team at the stadium as he has done for so long.
The last time the two faced was way back in 1997 at Westfalenstadion. It was Atletico who came away with the victory. But history doesn’t matter much here. What would matter is the Atletico defense against the Dortmund attack. The experience of Filipe Luis and Diego Godin against the youth of Pulisic and Hakimi. It will most certainly be amazing to see who keeps order on the pitch, Simeone or Favre.
A great night of football that Germany has so desperately been waiting for.
#7 Inter Milan vs AC Milan: October 22, 2018
A match that brought the world to a standstill at a time. A match that involves bad blood and legendary players. A match that causes tremors in the city of Milan. Italy has been the home for one of the toughest ever football matches ever played, the Milan Derby. The talent that has represented both sides are countless. Kaka, Pato, Robinho, Milito, Cambiasso, Nesta, Zanetti, Sneijder and a lot of others.
When the Milan Derby is mentioned, the sight of Zlatan Ibrahimovic putting the ball on the spot comes to mind in a flash. The fact that Julio Cesar decided to psyche out Zlatan sounds funny when we hear it now. But even “God” Zlatan must have felt the pressure of the Milan Derby. Cesar didn’t succeed though, he was left biting the dust and Zlatan spoke a few words back at him. That is how intense the Milan Derby used to be. It used to be amazing, it has brought some heated exchanges between the sides and it was total war on the pitch.
It might have lost its grace gradually but now it has what it takes to get back to the best again. Luciano Spalletti is a good enough manager and Gernaro Gattuso is well, he is unorthodox. Gattuso is more like a mentor than a coach, he fires up the players and oozes every bit of energy from them.
The teams have solid defences, Alessio Romagnoli and Stefan De Vrij with rock solid bodies in front of their respective keepers. Two top class strikers and ironically Argentinian teammates, Icardi and Higuain. They have good midfielders, Perisic for Inter and Castillejo for Milan.
It would be great to see the two teams clash and no matter how they play when they are face to face, crazy things happen. If you still don’t believe in the Milan Derby, just watch last year's highlights, a game which finished 3-2. An Argentinian scoring a hattrick and the final minute winner. To add to the game, the striker removes his shirt and holds it up high in front of the crowd. Do the lines ring any bells?
Don’t expect anything to happen, unpredictability is a necessity in Milan Derby.
#6 Chelsea vs Manchester United: October 20, 2018
What is there to expect here? United have lost all the credibility they had to play in big games. Every game involving Manchester United was supposedly a big game but it might not necessarily be true here. The Red Devils might just be no match for Sarri’s unstoppable Chelsea. But still United is a big club and their current performance is not what they are capable of.
Besides when you make Jose Mourinho your enemy, things don’t pan out well. Jose did prove that to Barcelona with Inter Milan and he can prove it in any case to Chelsea, the media and his players as well. Moreover, Jose is certainly not the person or atleast not the only person who is to blame for the current state of United. Ever since Ferguson left, Jose has the best track record with United. Some managers like Ernesto Valverde are escaping criticism only because he has Lionel Messi at his disposal.
About the match, Jose loves the Bridge. No doubt about it. He has had amazing success with the Blues at the Bridge and he would try and replicate that again. One convincing win is all it takes to get the confidence back.
Maybe Chelsea could be the stepping stone, the headstart that United needs to get their confidence back. Eden Hazard has been on fire lately and he will be a potent threat to United’s weak defence. But if they manage to stop him and Chelsea, they will manage against any attack.
A boxer punches the hardest when his back is against the ropes and the same goes for United. It is really now or never for Jose and Pogba. Expect Paul Pogba to come on all guns blazing for this one.
#5 Manchester United vs Juventus: October 24, 2018
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
Tell the world I’m coming home
Oh goodness gracious, how good is this one? Ever since the Champions League draw put Juventus and United in the same group, everyone would have one thing one the back of their mind. Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford.
It is an emotional moment, when you return to where you started. It is even tougher when you have to score against your old team. But that is how this is. Not only Cristiano, even Paul Pogba will have the same dilemma of seeing his old team and teammates with a new talisman.
Both Pogba and Cristiano will have to be up for the challenge. It would have been a sigh of relief for Juventus that Cristiano was given only a one match ban. Old Trafford has always been good to its former players and Cristiano will no doubt get a huge reception at the Theatre of Dreams.
Juventus and United haven’t played each other in quite a while but back when they did in the 1990s, it used to be quite a battle. Marcello Lippi and Alex Ferguson tried their level best to outclass one another. Their best meeting by far, should be the semifinals in 1999 when United made a comeback of the topmost level. Following the first leg 1-1 draw at home, the Old Lady went to Trafford.
To the utmost dismay of the United fans, Fillipo Inzhagi scored in the 6th and 10th minute, shutting down all the doors of semifinals for United. But the masters of late goals came back early in the 25th and 34th minute with Keane and Yorke. Andy Cole scored one late in the 75th minute to win it. This Champions League tie will be as good as they come.
#4 FC Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur: October 4, 2018
How good will this one be, no one knows. But it will be an amazing game of football for sure. The two have faced only twice, ever. Back in 1982, with FC Barcelona winning one and drawing another. That matters little in this case. Mauricio Pochettino is a fairly better manager than Ernesto Valverde. He has preferred stability over silverware and perhaps that is why Spurs are consistent.
Spurs have a plethora of talent in Harry Kane, Cristian Eriksen and Dele Alli. FC Barcelona’s concern will be these three for sure. The high balls that are put in by Eriksen and finished by Kane usually have to be dealt with unlike what Barcelona faces in the league.
These three possess serious pace. That kind of pace is very concerning for Barcelona for two reasons. One, Pique is absolutely slow in backtracking from the high press. Barca will miss Samuel Umtiti’s pace a lot. Barca’s advantage lies in the broad pitch in Camp Nou
On the attacking end, it is the solid defense of Trippier, Vertonghen and Alderweireld against Messi, Suarez and Coutinho. It is all even on this half but not so much on the other end. Barcelona have to trust on Lenglet to deliver his best, otherwise they are doomed.
What makes this battle even more interesting, will be the Camp Nou’s reaction to Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino. Why? Mauricio Pochettino said last year and I quote.
“Xavi is a liar and a cheat. I’d rather work at my farm in Argentina than at Barcelona”
Not very friendly, is it. The comment towards Xavi was over a comment where he said Dele Alli would suit Manchester City’s style. And Pochettino reacted by calling him a cheat as reported by various news sources. Comparing the Cules’ beloved Barcelona with a farm is not what they would take very kindly to and it was really uncalled for.
And certainly if you want to comment on Leo’s beloved crest and visit him on the pitch at Camp Nou, you be my guest, Mauricio Pochettino.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: October 30, 2018
This is a mouth-watering clash. Not only does this come as an important momentum turner in the league, this is also a top of the table clash. One loss in the league for either of these two could possibly leave them out of the top 3 contention. Pep Guardiola would have thought better of it though and he would want, not one but all three points in this game. That is Pep’s relentless obsession for success.
Although City are going to miss their midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, it would have little effect on the team performance. Riyad Mahrez has adapted beautifully to the system and Pep will be counting on Sane and Bernardo Silva to step their game up against Liverpool. Pep has the leisure of resting the big guns for the mid-week game against Shakthar Donetsk but Tottenham can take no such chances.
Pochettino has already lost a big match against Inter Milan and the Barcelona fixture is going to be really tough. If Pochettino takes a chance against PSV, who are the Dutch Champions and relentless attackers, they might pay for it and bid adieu to midweek European nights. The gamble is as bad as they come for Spurs. If he plays Alderweireld and Vertonghen, they will be exhausted and out of gas when they go up against Hirving Lozano.
The best option? Pochettino has to take a chance and rest his players in the preceding match-day. Oh, it is tough being a football manager. The match though will be amazing.
#2 Liverpool vs Manchester City: October 7, 2018
Manchester City were absolutely tearing it apart last season. They were head and shoulders above the rest in the league. They had the power of Achilles, after he was dipped in the River Styx. But the funny thing is Achilles had one weakness, his heel.
For Manchester City the heel was replaced with Liverpool. Whenever they went up against Liverpool something took over. They did defeat Liverpool 5-0 last season but in the later half in Europe, Liverpool came out guns blazing and demolished City.
This match will be a potential decider for the league leader. Both City and Liverpool are on level terms right now and both Klopp and Pep might want to win this one badly. Klopp has got the firepower he needs now. Back in the 5-0 loss, Van Dijk wasn’t present and now he is.
With Van Dijk’s presence, it won’t be easy to create, especially when De Bruyne is injured. At the other end, Firmino, Salah and Mane are destroying defences for fun. When they go up against Stones and Laporte, it will be a battle to behold.
Both Klopp and Pep are great tacticians and perhaps an outright winner might not emerge out of it. But it will be worth watching.
#1 FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid: October 28, 2018
The greatest football match that has ever been played. Two top class teams and the fight that divides a nation. How big can stakes be? History has seen some amazing clashes between these two heavyweights. The presence of two of the best players in the world makes it even more amazing. Only this time, Cristiano won’t be a part of El Clasico.
It doesn’t matter at all. Lopetegui’s Real Madrid have shown great football and shown possession is not exclusively Barcelona’s game. Barcelona however have disappointed in their last three games, only winning two points out of those three matches. Their dependence on Lionel Messi is overwhelmingly visible.
To make matters worse, Samuel Umtiti might miss the game and the Inter Milan game mid-week makes it even tougher to adjust. Rotations will be the key but Valverde has rotated without much success lately. Nevertheless, when FC Barcelona and Real Madrid meet, fatigue is the least of issues.
Players will find some energy from wherever during the course of the game. It will be great to see a conflict between Pique and Ramos as it has always been. It adds that extra dimension to the game. We’ll witness a stunning midfield battle between Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. We will witness Asensio and Alba’s pace at the same time. And more importantly we will see Varane and Ramos, do all they can to stop Lionel Messi from creating.
Messi has been a thorn to Real Madrid in every Clasico they have played. Right from the 19 year old hattrick that stunned Capello, to the hattrick in the 4-3 win and the 92nd minute winner at Santiago Bernabeu, Messi has seen it all, done it all. Every time Real have tried to stop the diminutive man but most of the time it has been in vain.
Sergio Ramos has been a physical bully to whom no Barca player could stand up, with Pique’s exception. But Arturo Vidal’s addition will help Barcelona’s cause a lot in that aspect. Vidal is rock solid, as physical as and perhaps even more physical than Ramos. Both could pop in with a horror tackle but certainly we expect physicality in a positive way, not a negative one.
The last Clasico at the Camp Nou was a stunning affair in a 2-2 draw. The scorers Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Lionel Messi. Barcelona went into halftime with a man down but took the lead through Lionel Messi. Messi had the chance to wrap it up against Navas but the Costa Rican did great to deny the little man. Gareth Bale popped up with a stunner to level things up.
It would be interesting to see the choice of keeper for Madrid. Courtois might be a better keeper but his performances against Messi have been dismal. Last year in the R16, against Chelsea, Messi drove the ball in between Courtois’ legs, not once but twice. Keylor Navas though has been exceptional against Leo.
A great match in the making for the next one month. As they say, it will be Spain standstill and the world watching. El Clasico never disappoints.
