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The Euro Preview: Big clubs hoping to stay on track following World Cup qualifying

By Clemente Lisi

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (R) in action against Carlos Casemiro of Real Madrid (L) during the Supercopa de Espana Final 1st Leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on August 13, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Marcio Rodrigo Machado/Power Sport Images/Getty Images,)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (R) in action against Carlos Casemiro of Real Madrid (L) during the Supercopa de Espana Final 1st Leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on August 13, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Marcio Rodrigo Machado/Power Sport Images/Getty Images,) /
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Following the international break and the end of the summer transfer window, some of Europe’s biggest clubs hope that some new faces can make a difference.

La Liga

With the World Cup qualifying over for this month, Spain’s two biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, hope to get back to their winning ways. Real Madrid struggled in their 2-2 draw versus Valencia before qualifying, while Barcelona were the team that dominated the headlines with what they did (and ultimately failed to do) to bolster their roster at the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

After losing Neymar to PSG last month, Barcelona did sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund, but never got their hands on Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. While the Dembele deal gives the Catalan club a chance to plug the hole left by Neymar, Barcelona don’t appear much stronger than just a few weeks ago. The arrival of Paulinho isn’t exactly going to scare Real Madrid as the Liga title race intensifies.

Nonetheless, Barcelona are currently in first place (along with Real Sociedad and Leganes) with six points by virtue of their 1-0 road victory against Athletic Bilbao. Defending champion Real Madrid, meanwhile, are second with four points (tied with six other teams) as the season enters matchday 3 this weekend.

Real Madrid host Levante on Saturday led by Isco, who has gotten off to a great start this season and led Spain to an impressive 3-0 victory against Italy this past Saturday in a crucial World Cup qualifier. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has been key as Real do without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently serving out the rest of his five-game suspension for shoving a referee during last month’s first-leg match in the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have Lionel Messi in fine form as they face Espanyol at the Camp Nou in the heated Derbi barceloni. Messi will need to be at the top of his game given that Barcelona could be without midfielder Ivan Rakitic, but should have Luis Suarez in the starting lineup. Atletico Madrid, an outsider for the title, extended the contract of coach Diego Simeone for another five years through June 2020. He will want to do well on Saturday when Atleti travel to Valencia.

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Bundesliga

Christian Pulisic’s Borussia Dortmund rose to the top of the standings thanks to goal differential over Bayern Munich and Hamburg following their 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin. The club have lost Dembele, but that could mean a bigger role for the budding 18-year-old American star. Pulisic is a player that can make an impact in big games and escaped injury all of last season, meaning he is the type of player Dortmund can rely on as the season intensifies.

Pulisic, after helping the United States stay alive in the Hex as they struggle for a World Cup berth, will try to help Borussia Dortmund to another win as they hit the road Saturday to play Freiburg. If Pulisic gets increased playing time and continues to score amazing goals like he did during matchday 1 against Wolfsburg, then Borussia Dortmund can certainly become a serious title contender. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who are also on six points, also play on the road Saturday, traveling to Sinsheim to face Hoffenheim in a game the defending champions are expected to win.

Matchday 3 starts off with a tasty Friday night encounter between Hamburg, also at six points, taking on RB Leipzig in Hamburg. Hamburg feature a healthy Bobby Wood, who hopes to continue his great form and keep his club in the top half of the table after his late goal salvaged a draw for the United States on Tuesday night against Honduras.

Serie A

Juventus take on Chievo Saturday in Turin as the defending champions try to get their third victory of the season. Juventus will be without defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was also absent during Italy’s loss to Spain. The Italian Football Association confirmed on its website that the 33-year-old defender had returned to Turin after injuring his right calf in training ahead of the Spain match.

Matchday 3’s biggest game will also also be played Saturday when Sampdoria host Roma. Sampdoria face a Roma side in need of points. Roma, with just three points from two matches, lost to Inter Milan 3-1 following a controversy when the referee refused to check with the VAR system when Roma’s Diego Perotti was tripped in the box.

VAR has been a big issue this season, particularly on Serie A where decisions by referees are constantly dissected by reporters and pundits alike on TV sports shows. But Roma hope to overcome all that with the help of new Czech striker Patrik Schick, a 21-year-old acquired from Sampdoria as the transfer window came to a close. Schick will bolster Roma’s attack following the retirement last season of Francesco Totti.

Rounding out the weekend are two other key games to be played Sunday: Lazio hosting AC Milan in Rome and Napoli traveling to Bologna.

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