The Biggest Footballing Rivalries in Europe
No matter which football team you support, there is always one team you keep an eye out for when the season’s fixture list gets released. This is your team’s biggest rivals as there really is nothing quite like derby day.
Clubs across the world have harboured many years of hate for their local rivals, and generations are brought up to have nothing but disdain for their football rivals. Derbies are always fun for neutrals to watch as there is some added spice, while defeat can see fans riot across the city.
Here at Waitakere United, we are going to take you through some of the top rivalries in European football.
El Clásico (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid)
El Clásico is arguably the biggest and most famous footballing rivalry out there. This match is one that usually has a big say in which way the La Liga title will go, with matches between these two Spanish giants being watched by millions of football fans worldwide.
Historical Background
Barcelona were founded back in 1899, with Real Madrid being founded three years later. The first El Clásico between these two teams took place in 1903, but these games were mostly friendlies as La Liga had not even been formed at the time.
When La Liga came into being in 1929, the fixture became more regular and signing disputes alongside controversial decisions from referees only served to increase the rivalry.
The intense rivalry did not wane throughout the years, and there were some comprehensive beatings that led to famous terms being coined such as “La Manita”, which means “little hand” in Spanish and is used when a team wins 5-0, each finger is representative of a goal.
Memorable Matches
There have been a number of enthralling encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid throughout the years, with some of the best ones coming in the 21st century. Let us take you through some of the greatest El Clásico games.
Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 2 (2011)
These two teams met in the Supercopa de Espana, with the first game ending 2-2. The second leg though is one that nobody in attendance will forget as the game had everything. Iniesta gave Barcelona the lead before Cristiano Ronaldo brought Los Blancos level.
Lionel Messi, as he often did, came to the party and scored a brace to win the match for Barcelona. There was a total of four red cards, while Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid manager, poked Tito Vilanova, the Barcelona manager, in the eye.
Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 4 (2015)
With Messi, Suarez, and Neymar in their prime, Barcelona looked unstoppable in La Liga. However, Messi picked up an injury, which meant that he would be unavailable for the season’s first El Clasico.
His absence did not matter though as Neymar and Suarez toyed with their opponents, with the former scoring once and the latter scoring a brace. To compound matters for the hosts, Isco was sent off in the 84th minute.
Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2 (2016)
When it came to crunch moments in games, Ronaldo was something else. In this El Clasico match, it looked like a draw was on the cards, until Ronaldo popped up with an 85th minute goal to stun the hosts. It was a spicy affair, seeing four yellows in the first half an hour. This was Ronaldo’s 16th Classico goal, which is only bettered by Messi.
Key Players and Managers
Many players and managers have left their mark on El Clasico down the years, so let us now take a look at some of the most influential managers and players.
Managers
Zinedine Zidane: He is one of the best managers Real Madrid have ever had as he led them to three UCL titles in a row between 2016 and 2019. During his time as manager, he won six El Clasico games, including a big 3-1 win in the Supercopa de Espana in 2017. His success came from his ability to manage the big egos in the squad.
Miguel Munoz: He is the most successful manager in El Classico history with no fewer than 16 wins. Between 1959 and 1974, he led Los Blancos to nine La Liga titles, an Intercontinental Cup, and two European Cups. He was known for his ability to motivate players and for his astute tactical intelligence.
Johan Cruyff: The Dutchman is a Barcelona legend as he played for and managed the Spanish giants. He had one of the greatest football minds ever, and he is still influencing the game to this day. He won a total of 12 El Classicos, alongside a European Cup and four La Liga titles. The term “Total Football” comes from his possession-based play.
Players
Luis Figo: The Portuguese maestro left his mark on El Classico for all the wrong reasons. When he signed for Real Madrid from Barcelona in 2000, he became part of a hate campaign. When he returned to the Nou Camp as a Real Madrid player, he had missiles thrown at him, fake money with his face on, and a pig’s head was even chucked on the field.
Messi and Ronaldo: The last decade has been dominated by Messi and Ronaldo as they crossed paths regularly when playing in Spain. During this period, they scored 922 goals between them, including 38 in El Classico. They also sit in first and second place in the top La Liga scorers of all time.
The Northwest Derby (Manchester United vs. Liverpool)
This has become one of the biggest fixtures in the English Premier League, with fans, players, and mainstream media considering this fixture as each club’s biggest, even more so than games against Manchester City and Everton.
Historical Background
Manchester and Liverpool are situated just 35 miles from each other, and their rivalry goes back to the Industrial Revolution when they both thrived for different reasons. The first football meeting between these two footballing giants took place in 1894, and Liverpool won 2-0.
Their geographical closeness, economic rivalry, huge trophy hauls, and popularity in the UK and abroad have fuelled the fire for this fixture.
Memorable Matches
These two teams have put on plenty of entertainment over the years, and we will now take you through some of the matches that have stood out.
Man United 3 Liverpool 2 (September 2010)
Dimitar Berbatov put in a sensational performance in this match to give Manchester United the bragging rights. The Bulgarian scored a goal before and after half-time, including a fantastic overhead kick, but Steven Gerrard scored a brace in the space of six minutes to leave the score at 2-2.
In the 82nd minute, Berbatov completed his hat-trick. United won the league that season, while Liverpool finished a staggering 22 points behind their big rivals.
Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2 (March 2015)
Steven Gerrard was a substitute for this match, coming on at half-time, but he lasted only 38 seconds after stamping on Herrera. Manchester United were already winning at this point, and Juan Mata doubled their lead with a super volley.
Daniel Sturridge did pull a goal back for Liverpool, but it was little more than a consolation goal. The action was not finished though as Simon Mignolet saved a later penalty by Rooney. Manchester United finished 4th, eight points clear of Liverpool.
Liverpool 7 Manchester United 0 (2023)
Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield with Mohamed Salah becoming the record Premier League goalscorer for Liverpool. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the hosts before Darwin Nunez scored a brace after half-time to open the floodgates. Gakpo scored another goal, Salah also hit two, and Firmino completed the scoring for Liverpool’s biggest win in this fixture.
Key Players and Managers
Let us now take a look at some of the key players and managers for these two top clubs over the years.
Managers
Bill Shankly: The Scotsman was one of the best managers that Liverpool have ever had as he led the club to ten titles during his time in charge. Liverpool were in the second division when he took over, and he led them back to the First Division. He was the Liverpool manager for 783 matches, and he finished his time at the club with a win percentage of 51.98%.
Bob Paisley: He took over from Shankly and took Liverpool to the next level, making them almost invincible. During his nine years at the club, he helped them to win six league titles, three European Cups, three League Cups, and one UEFA Cup. He won the 1983 League Cup by beating Man United in the final 2-1 after extra-time.
Alex Ferguson: When the Scotsman took over at Manchester United in 1986, his main challenge was knocking Liverpool off their perch, and he did exactly that. Between 1992 and 2013, he led Manchester United to 13 titles, and during this time, Liverpool did not win a single league. His United side came up against Liverpool on 65 occasions, and he won 30, drew 14, and lost 21.
Players
Mohamed Salah: In his first season at Liverpool, he helped them to win the Champions League final and scored 32 goals in 38 EPL games. The Egyptian has played in 12 matches against United and has scored 12 goals, which makes him the top scorer for Liverpool in this fixture.
Steven Gerrard: He played for Liverpool for 17 years and is a club legend. He won numerous titles while playing with them and had a habit of scoring against United. He scored nine goals in all, including one in the 2-0 League Cup final win in 2003. He was also on the scoresheet when Liverpool thrashed United 4-1 in 2009.
George Wall: He joined the Reds in 1906 and helped them win the league in 1908 and 1911. He played 287 matches for United and became a popular figure among United fans as he loved nothing more than scoring against Liverpool. He scored a total of nine goals against them in his career.
Derby della Madonnina (Inter Milan vs. AC Milan)
When these two Milan-based clubs collide on derby day, you can feel the suspense throughout the city. These matches usually mean more than just the three points on offer as both clubs often fight it out for the Scudetto.
Historical Background
There is some uncertainty about when the first encounter between Milan and Inter took place, with many saying that the first fixture was played in 1908 in Switzerland, which was won 2-1 by the Rossoneri. However, historical records are a little incomplete. Thus, it is believed that the actual inaugural encounter was in January 2009, and the match went on to lay the foundation for a timeless rivalry.
In the first official clash between Milan and Inter in the Prima Categoria, which was the main football league in Italy, AC Milan came out on top 3-2. This derby gets its name from the Virgin Mary, called the Madonnina, which sits on top of the Duomo in Milan.
Memorable Matches
These two top clubs have played out some fascinating games over the decades, and below we take you through some of the more memorable occasions.
Inter 0 Milan 6 (2001)
Milan’s 6-0 victory over Inter back in 2001 is the biggest margin of victory in the history of this derby. Both teams were underperforming that season, but Milan decided to crank it up. Andriy Shevchenko got himself a brace as the Rossoneri humiliated their rivals.
Inter 0 Milan 3 (2005)
Both teams met in the quarter-final of the Champions league and Milan were 2-0 to the good after the first leg.
Milan 0 Inter 4 (2010)
Inter were relentless and ruthless when they won the treble in 2010, and Milan felt the full force of it in this derby. Milito, Motta, Stankovic, and Maicon all found the target as Inter eased to victory. Things got even worse for Milan when Gattuso was sent off.
Key Players and Managers
Let us now go through some of the top players and managers who have left their mark on one of the biggest derbies in Italian football.
Managers
Helenio Herrera: The Argentinian was the man who came up with the “catenaccio” defensive system, which focuses on completely nullifying an opponent’s attacking options. He was the manager of Inter between 1960 and 1968, and during this time he led them to three Serie A titles, two European Cups, and two intercontinental Cups.
Carlo Ancelotti: When he was Milan manager between 2001 and 2009, he turned them into a fluid attacking team, leading them to a Serie A title and two Champions League titles. There have not been many better and more successful managers than him in the game.
Players
Andriy Shevchenko: During his time in the Serie A, the Ukrainian was unstoppable. During his seven years at AC Milan, he smashed 14 goals against Inter. If he had hung around for another couple of seasons, we are pretty sure that he would have got close to the 20-goal mark.
Giuseppe Meazza: He is one of the best players to have played for Inter and he will always be seen as a legend of the club, despite the fact that he moved to AC Milan after. The San Siro is also known as the Giuseppe Meazza, which highlights how highly he is thought of. He scored 12 goals for Inter in the Milan Derby and also scored one against them for Milan.
