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A look at what’s going on in European football on Sunday:
ENGLAND
It appeared Leeds and Liverpool would be deprived of their influential Brazilian players for the Premier League game at Elland Road as punishment for preventing them from traveling to the World Cup qualifiers during the international break. However, the threat of a five-day FIFA suspension was lifted on Friday night, meaning Leeds can field winger Raphinha and Liverpool can face midfielder Fabinho and goalkeeper Alisson for the game. Liverpool are, however, without injured striker Roberto Firmino – another Brazilian – as the team seek to maintain their undefeated start to the season. Liverpool have seven out of nine possible points, while Leeds are two points away and still looking for their first victory.
SPAIN
Antoine Griezmann could start his second stint with Atlético Madrid when the defending champions visit Espanyol. Griezmann was sacked alongside Diego Simeone on loan by cash-strapped Barcelona at the end of the transfer market. Atlético aim to take all three points from an Espanyol who have yet to win in three sets after returning to the top flight. Real Madrid return to their partly renovated Santiago Bernabeu 18 months later to welcome Celta Vigo. Madrid have taken advantage of pandemic containment to remodel their stadium while playing in a smaller stadium in their training grounds. Carlos Soler will lead Valencia at Osasuna after the midfielder impressed Spain in the international break. Real Sociedad are in Cadiz looking for a third consecutive victory.
ITALY
Zlatan Ibrahimović is expected to be available on the bench for his return from left knee surgery when AC Milan host Lazio in a club game that won their first two matches. But Olivier Giroud is dubious after testing positive for COVID-19 after his two-goal performance in Milan’s 4-1 win over Cagliari before the international break. Roma have won all four of their games under José Mourinho in all competitions entering their game against a Sassuolo side with Giacomo Raspadori, who impressed for Italy in midweek. Defending champion Inter Milan, who also has six points, meets Sampdoria at lunchtime with Edin Džeko, 35, facing Fabio Quagliarella, 38, in a clash of aging strikers.
GERMANY
Some German clubs with Champions League ambitions are already under pressure after poor starts and will have more problems if they don’t win on Sunday. Borussia Mönchengladbach have one point in three games under new coach Adi Hütter and welcome Arminia Bielefeld, who holds the league’s second best joint defensive record. Winless Eintracht Frankfurt faces Stuttgart. It was a pitiful start to the season for the last Hertha Berlin after three losses, but a visit to promoted Bochum offers a good chance to turn things around.
FRANCE
The surprise leader of Angers seeks to maintain his invincibility when he moves to play Brest in difficulty. Few predicted Angers would be 10 points in four games after longtime coach Stéphane Moulin left the club at the end of last season, but Gerard Baticle has done well despite his lack of experience. Nice are also undefeated before a trip to Nantes and Lyon must regain form at home against Strasbourg. Lyon coach Peter Bosz takes on his new role after replacing Rudi Garcia and has only won once. The Lyon defense must improve quickly after losing seven goals.
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