Weekend Watch: Derbies Abound

By: chris | February 15th, 2008

If you were good enough on Valentine’s Day, you may just be allowed to sit on the couch and watch footy all weekend. Well, it’s a helluva weekend for such a reward.

Roma v Juventus: The Bianconeri have all but bowed out of the title race (via Claudio Ranieri himself), but sit just four points behind Roma. To keep things simple: These two teams don’t like each other. They really don’t like each other. As fans, that makes things all the more glorious for us. (And Roma fans may hate Lazio with a passion, but nearly to a man they’ll tell you they enjoy a victory over Rubentus just as much.)

ManYoo v Arsenal: Unfortunately, this one’s an FA Cup match. Not to say that the FA Cup sucks or anything, it’s just these two are in the middle of a battle for the top spot in the league and, well, that’d make the game a bit more heated. Nonetheless, it’s a game of two fantastic teams with some seriously dynamic players which will likely end up as a great viewing. In fact, y’all should just clear your Saturday. Directly after this game is the Roma-Juve game. That is a Saturday well spent, my friends.

Anything involving Rio de Janiero: Botafogo takes on Fluminense on Saturday while Flamengo hosts Vasco da Gama on Sunday, and all take place within the city walls. That’s a fantastic weekend in a fantastic city. Hell, instead of watching it, maybe you should just take a weekend in Rio, yeah?

Sunday

Marseille v PSG: Neither club would consider their domestic season to be spectacular (though Marseille is making a late charge), but this one’s not about the football - it’s about the cities. Marseille or Paris? Not too shabby on either end. (Alright, the game will be decent too.)

Genoa v Sampdoria: Derby della Lanterna. This one’s extra special because the rivalry has been dormant for a bit, with Genoa spending recent years in the basement of Lega Calcio; as well as the fact that they share their grounds. Antonio Cassano has been in absurd form lately, and another performance similar may send him over the top in the hearts of the Blucerchiati tifosi.

Club Brugge v Standard Liege: The battle for the top spot in Belgium’s Jupiler league, with CB on top with Standard 3 points behind. SL have yet to lose, but they’ve got a bit of Liverpool-itis with 9 draws in 21 games. And they’re playing away, where in 10 games they have 3 wins and 7 sister-kisses. Call the bookies and bet the house on a draw.