Three To See – The Weekend’s Football (7.3.09 – 9.3.09)

Hello to one and all and welcome to this week’s instalment of ‘Three to See’ on Just Football. Last week we brought you games in England, Italy and Denmark. To quickly recap, here were the results of those three games:

So what do we have for you this week?

1, 1899 Hoffenheim v Werder Bremen (German Bundesliga) 14.30 GMT, Saturday 7th March 2009

In Germany, because of the long mid-season winter break, the campaign tends to be seen by many as two parts of one whole, with autumn and spring almost counting as two separate mini-leagues. 1899 Hoffenheim are this year’s Bundesliga Autumn champions. Given that Hoffenheim were only promoted from the second division last August, and began this century way down in the fifth division, to win the winter league was a huge achievement. But not huge enough for a club with lofty ambitions and an immensely wealthy benefactor in Dietmar Hopp, who has ploughed millions into rebuilding the team.

Hoffenheim are in something of a unique position in German football in that they are both admired and despised in equal measures. Some see them as plucky underdogs, sticking it to the traditional powers like Bayern Munich and their opponents this weekend, Werder Bremen. Others see them as a bunch of nouveau-riche upstarts, only around because of their benevolent sugar-daddy – everything that’s wrong with modern football. Either way, their plight is one of the stories of the season in Germany.

Since topping the league at Christmas Hoffenheim have slipped up, in part down to a run of bad injuries, but remain in touching distance of top spot, two points behind leaders Hertha Berlin and sitting in third. Werder Bremen, usually fighting for honours at the top of the league, are having a dreadful campaign by their standards and currently lie in 11th. However, on their day they are still one of the most exciting teams to watch anywhere in Europe.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season was arguably the best game of the 2008/2009 Bundesliga so far. Werder Bremen ran out 5-4 winners in a pulsating match that had everything, including goals aplenty. Werder have not yet won a single league game in 2009, but having battered Wolfsburg 5-2 away in the cup in midweek, will hope to be firing on all cylinders again at Hoffenheim. Expect goals.

2, Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (Spanish Primera Liga) 20.00 GMT, Saturday 7th March 2009

The Madrid derby. Always a heated affair, this weekend’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu takes on added significance for Juande Ramos’ Real because they are now back in a title race thanks to the profligacy of FC Barcelona, who have thrown away their 12 point lead.

Atletico Madrid did their crosstown rivals a massive favour last weekend when they beat Barca 4-3 in one of the best games I have seen in a long time. Sergio Aguero bagged a late winner for Atleti after they had been 2-0 down, and the confidence to be gained from beating Pep Guardiola’s men should see los colchoneros go into the game flying.

A 95th minute penalty scored by Gonzalo Higuain won the corresponding fixture for Real Madrid back in October 2008, in a game marked by controversy, and the feelings of bitterness at that late defeat still rankle in the minds of Atletico fans. They may have helped their neighbours cut the gap at the top of the league to four points last weekend, but everyone at Atletico will want to even things out with a spot of revenge for that cruel October defeat this time around.

3, Palmeiras v Corinthians (Brazilian Paulista State League) 19.00 GMT, Sunday 8th March 2009
The league system in Brazil operates something of a strange calendar, seen by many as slightly archaic. There is nothing wrong with the main championship, which involves the top teams across the country and runs from May to December. As demonstrated last season when the title was only decided on the final day, the national championship is a great, exciting league, played in a more traditional format.

It is the regional championships, taking part now, that are seen as somewhat outdated. Because each state has its own league, regardless of the strength of competition in the area, you inevitably end up with some dead-rubber championships involving at one end of the scale teams with quality players and massive fanbases, and at the other end tiny clubs with few resources, who if necessary could send a taxi
to pick up the few fans that follow them.

One of the few genuinely competitive state leagues takes place in Sao Paulo, and this weekend sees a mouthwatering clash between league leaders Palmeiras and second place Corinthians.

Corinthians were in the second division of the national championships last season, in part due to a period of gross financial mismanagement. Nevertheless, they remain one of the best supported clubs in the whole country. Corinthians supporters have a reputation for being one of the most dedicated fanbases you will find anywhere in the world. And they hate Palmeiras.

Palmeiras for their part came close to winning the national league last season, but eventually ran out of steam and fell away, allowing local rivals Sao Paulo to snatch the title. Nonetheless, Palmeiras have one of Brazilian football’s most gifted squads, bursting with talent, and are a match for anybody in the region.

The game should also have added spice because a certain Ronaldo will be playing for Corinthians. ‘The Phenomenon’ as they call him in his homeland, made a promising start to his Corinthians career in midweek, bagging a debut assist, and his sheer presence has given everyone in Brazil a much-needed boost, restoring some pride to the domestic game. It should be a fantastic match, and you can guarantee a highly-charged atmosphere.

As ever, let us know which games you will be watching this weekend by leaving a comment.

1899 Hoffenheim, Atletico Madrid, Corinthians, Palmeiras, Real Madrid, Three to See, Werder Bremen