Germany: recovery with fanfare

Ten-time reigning German champions, Bayern Munich kicked off their season with a bang on Friday evening (8:30 p.m.) by outclassing Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1, winner of the Europa League last season and therefore qualified for the Champions League.

Another duel between C1 clubs, Dortmund receives Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.) Bayer Leverkusen, already under pressure after their elimination in the 1st round of the German Cup against Elversberg, resident of the 3rd division.

Leipzig will finally want to confirm Sunday (3:30 p.m.) in Stuttgart its good second half against Bayern in the Supercup.

Christopher Nkunku, voted best player of the year by German journalists and best player of the 2021/22 season by his peers, is expected at the turn.

Werder Bremen and Schalke, monuments of German football, travel respectively to Wolfsburg on Saturday (3.30 p.m.) and Cologne on Sunday (6.30 p.m.).

England: City start strong

If their competitors start smoothly, the Citizens return to business on Sunday afternoon (5:30 p.m.) against a real client, West Ham, 7th in the 2021/22 season.

The men of Pep Guardiola, defending champions, must already revive after their defeat against Liverpool last Saturday for the Community Shield.

All eyes will be on 'Skyblues' star rookie Erling Haaland, who was inconspicuous against the Reds.

#photo1

Jurgen Klopp's team will also visit promoted Fulham on Saturday midday (1:30 p.m.).

An opponent well within his reach and perhaps the opportunity for Darwin Nunez, the Reds' response to Haaland's arrival at City, to continue his momentum after his full game in the Community Shield.

The attackers will definitely be the center of attention since Gabriel Jesus, recruited by Arsenal this summer and who chained the goals during the preparation of the Gunners, will open this 2022/23 season with his new club on Friday evening (9 p.m.) on the lawn of Crystal Palace, coached by Patrick Vieira.

Regarding the other three clubs of the "Big Six", Tottenham will host Southampton on Saturday afternoon (4:00 p.m.) and Chelsea will go to Everton in the early evening (6:30 p.m.).

Manchester United host Brighton on Sunday (3:00 p.m.).

Italy: a Cup without cadors

One week before the resumption of Serie A, on August 13, twelve elite clubs are competing from Friday in the 32nd finals of the Italian Cup, from which the first eight of the last championship are exempt: AC Milan, Inter, Napoli, Juventus Turin, Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina and Atalanta Bergamo.

#photo2

No clash between Serie A clubs is on the program, but some representatives of the first level will have to be wary.

The Salernitana of Franck Ribéry (39), promoted captain, will receive Parma (Serie B) on Sunday (9 p.m.), where Gianluigi Buffon plays.

On Saturday, Torino will face the ambitious promoted from the second division Palermo (9:15 p.m.), which has just joined the galaxy of the City Football Group, owner of Manchester City.

tba-alu-tmt/kn/chc

© 2022 AFP