The Weekender: Top 3 Matches of the Weekend
“Everyone’s watching, to see what you will do
Everyone’s looking at you, oh
Everyone’s wondering, will you come out tonight
Everyone’s trying to get it right, get it right”
Loverboy’s 1981 hit “Working For The Weekend” perfectly sums up what’s in store this weekend. Let’s take you through it.
First Match: Juventus at AC Milan, Saturday, October 22, 2016
If the rest of Serie A wants to prevent first place Juventus from running away with the league title, then this match is a good place to start. Juventus features F Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina), M Sami Khedira (Germany), and ageless wonder in goal, 38-year-old legend G Gianluigi Buffon (Italy).
Third place AC Milan look to stop Juventus and make this a competitive race for the league cup. Leading their attack is F Carlos Bacca (Colombia). Opposite Juventus G Buffon, as a compelling contrast in experience will be youngster 17-year-old G Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), perhaps heir apparent to the Italian national team’s net for years to come. It’s the future of Italian national goalkeeping versus its present and past.
Prediction: 1–1 draw.
Second Match: Manchester United at Chelsea, Sunday, October 23, 2016
“He was never my friend.” Jose Mourinho pulling no punches on the eve of Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea, when asked whether Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was his friend.
The Special One must have circled this match on his calendar when the schedule came out. No wait — that’s for mere mortals. He doesn’t need the use of such memory aids and ticklers. In fact, the schedule makers probably had to run it by him as to when an appropriate date for this contest might be, and HE chose the time and place. Manchester United has a slew of superstars, including M Paul Pogba (France), M Juan Mata (Spain), F Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), and G David De Gea (Spain). They also have, or used to have, a forward who goes by the name of Wayne Rooney (England), but we’re not so sure anymore.
Notable Chelsea contributors are D David Luiz (Brazil), M Cesc Fabregas (Spain), and F Diego Costa (Spain), who has 7 goals in 9 Premier League matches.
Prediction: Manchester United wins, 2–1.
Third Match: Internacional at Grêmio, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Of all the intense, bitter, antagonistic rivalries in the world of soccer, this gem, otherwise known as the Gre-Nal, is as good as it gets, folks. In Brazil’s southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, you either support Internacional or Grêmio. Your fandom defines you. Both teams are situated in the eastern city of Porto Alegre, but diehard support for each club extends all throughout the state — to the western boundary with Argentina to the southern border with Uruguay, and every Gaucho town in between. This match will be in Grêmio’s new stadium (thank you, World Cup! Muito obrigado, os olimpicos!). Grêmio is currently in 8th place in the Brasileirão (Brazil’s top division) while Internacional is in danger of relegation at 16th place. For the Gremistas (fans of Grêmio), the prospect of Internacional being relegated: nada pode ser maior (nothing can be better — Gremio’s motto).
One of Grêmio’s most famous supporters is Mrs. Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen. At midfield for Grêmio are Walace, Maicon, Douglas, and Luan (nota bene: very few Brazilian soccer players use last names). One of their best attackers is Everton who, if he ever plays in England, take a wild guess as to which club should hire him?
Internacional showcases F Vitinho, who has 7 goals in 22 matches, M Eduardo Sasha, and G Danilo Fernandes.
Prediction: Grêmio, 4-nil.
Bonus Match: Atletico Madrid at Sevilla, Sunday, October 23
League-leading Atletico Madrid faces a Sevilla side that’s quietly putting together a solid season under former Chile coach, Jorge Sampaoli. Sevilla currently sits 3rd on the table, 1 point behind Atletico and 1 ahead of Barcelona (oh, the horror!).
Prediction: Sevilla, 2–1.
