Preview: Top liners from La Liga and Serie A on GOtv

September 17, 2021

epa09461820 Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Leonardo Bonucci (R) of Juventus fight for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs Juventus FC at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy, 11 September 2021. EPA/CIRO FUSCO

The top La Liga clash from this midweek round is a derby between Getafe and Atletico Madrid, set for the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. The Rojiblancos have not lost to the Azulones in the top-flight league since way back in November 2011 and will head to the South of Madrid confident of another three-point haul.

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One of the players Atletico will be looking to is Argentine forward Angel Correa, who has made a significant impact so far this season, and looks to have been inspired by the return of supporters: “I am very happy because we got the victory and we were able to dedicate it to the fans, to our people, they’re finally back,” he said after scoring the winner against Elche last month.

“Since the pandemic began, they were with us, but having them here is an immense joy and I want to dedicate this victory to them.”

Elsewhere this midweek, Barcelona will hope Memphis Depay can continue to be an inspiring figure for their trip to face Cadiz at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla. The Dutch attacker has had the unenviable and impossible job of trying to fill Lionel Messi’s boots, but he’s looked right at home in the Blaugrana colours thus far.

“Personally, as well I know I can give more. I didn’t feel so fresh, a little bit of pain, but to keep the three points at home is the most important thing and to have the fans back, so feels great,” said Depay after steering Barca to a 2-1 home win over Getafe just before the international break.

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Another key clash this midweek sees Real Madrid welcome Mallorca to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with Los Blancos looking to make a statement of intent. Manager Carlo Ancelotti hopes to see his side take a step forward in the coming weeks.

“There are many things that we have to improve on. But I think the balance is positive,” said the Italian, while midfielder Casemiro added: “This is the way to win titles and we are working well. The key has been the work of everyone and of those who entered late on.”

This first midweek round of the 2021-22 Serie A season is headlined by champions Internazionale travelling to Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on hosts Fiorentina. The Nerazzurri have made a positive start to the defence of their Scudetto despite the loss of manager Antonio Conte and key players such as Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi but current boss Simone Inzaghi believes there is still room for improvement.

“I knew I was going to meet an important challenge,” Inzaghi said of taking over the managerial position from Conte. “The fans and the environment are going in one direction. They all know that we have gone through very important sales to stabilise the club. Now we must all go in the same direction and react to the difficulties, and as mentioned our motivation will make a difference.”

Inter’s cross-town rivals, AC Milan, will have a home clash against Venezia, while Juventus will target three points from their trip to Spezia – with veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci admitting that the Bianconeri have not lived up to their own high standards thus far in the new season.

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