30 August 2014
Before turning their attentions to European matters, the Bianconeri’s three Champions League Group A rivals – Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Malmo – will this weekend be focusing their efforts on signing off for the international break on a winning note.
In Spain, Atleti are strongly tipped to chalk up their first three points of the season when newly-promoted Eibar step into the lion’s den of the Vicente Calderon on Saturday night.
Having ushered in their La Liga campaign with last weekend’s goalless stalemate away at Rayo Vallecano, Diego Simeone’s men will be aiming to go one better against a side who announced their top-flight arrival with a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad.
Also in action on Saturday night are Olympiacos, who make the trip to face Panaitolikos, a team defeated by OFI in their first game of the Super League season.
It was a different story entirely for the reigning Greek champions, however, with three goals in 32 first-half minutes paving the way for last week’s opening day 3-1 triumph over Niki Volos at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Over in Sweden, Malmo will be out to increase their seven-point lead at the top of the Allsvenskan table when they travel to face seventh-placed Djurgaden in Stockholm on Sunday evening.
With a gap of 18 points separating the sides and confidence flowing after Champions League qualification was secured courtesy of Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg, Age Hareide’s men will fancy their chances of putting further distance between themselves and nearest challengers AIK as they enter the home straight of a 30-game season.
