A preview of what’s happening in European football on Friday:
SPAIN
Real Betis host Osasuna in a match between two of the teams that started the Spanish league with consecutive victories. Betis, who finished fifth last season, got off to a good start despite coach Manuel Pellegrini’s inability to register multiple players due to the league’s Financial Fair Play rules. Osasuna surprised on their debut, although both of their wins came at home – against Sevilla and Cadiz. Other teams to start with two straight wins were Real Madrid and Villarreal, who will play their matches on Sunday. Also on Friday, Girona host Celta Vigo, with Girona claiming back-to-back wins and Celta seeking their first victory.
ITALY
Inter Milan are one of only three Serie A teams with maximum points from their opening two matches, along with Roma and Napoli. Inter face their sternest test of the fledgling season when they travel to coach Simone Inzaghi’s former side Lazio. The capital side have four points after beating Bologna in their opener but drew 0-0 in Turin last weekend. Lazio beat Inter in Rome in October but lost the return leg in January. Moreover, Monza host Udinese with Silvio Berlusconi’s side still looking for their first points since promotion to Serie A. Udinese have one point.
GERMANY
Freiburg welcomes Bochum to start the fourth round of the Bundesliga. Freiburg coach Christian Streich could keep the same starting XI for the fourth game in a row. It would be the first time for the club, which started the season with two wins and an unfortunate loss to Borussia Dortmund in three matches. Bochum are still looking for their first point after three defeats and negotiations with coach Thomas Reis over a contract extension have been put on hold.
FRANCE
Promoted Ajaccio are looking for their first win of the season when the Corsican side take on 2021 champions Lille.
The teams are 1,300 kilometers (805 miles) apart on the map.
Canadian Lille striker Jonathan David is off to a good start with two goals in three games, but attacking-minded coach Paulo Fonseca’s main concern will be defence.
Lille took four points from the first two games but are in shock after a humiliating 7-1 home defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The rout included a first goal for PSG after eight seconds and Fonseca will hope his players have cleared their minds.
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