MATCHDAY: Harry Kane eyes Bundesliga debut. Forest hosts Sheffield United in England
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
GERMANY
Bayern Munich begins its bid for a record-extending 12th straight Bundesliga title at Werder Bremen in the opening game of the season. England captain Harry Kane will likely make his Bundesliga debut for Bayern, which is already under pressure to make amends for its 3-0 loss to Leipzig in the German Super Cup. Bremen is also feeling some heat after crashing out of the German Cup in the first round with a loss at third-division Viktoria Cologne last weekend, when Ole Werner’s team showed it still has defensive frailties. Kane will hope to take advantage.
ENGLAND
The second round in the Premier League starts with Nottingham Forest hosting promoted Sheffield United. Forest lost at Arsenal 2-1 last weekend, and Sheffield United was beaten at home by Crystal Palace 1-0. Both teams are among the favorites to be relegated.
SPAIN
Valencia seeks a second win to start the season with its home opener against promoted Las Palmas. Rubén Baraja’s team full of young players surprised Sevilla 2-1 last week. Villarreal is at Mallorca trying to bounce back from its 2-1 loss to Real Betis following a stoppage-time goal.
FRANCE
Marseille looks to rebound from European disappointment when it visits promoted Metz. Panathinaikos beat Marseille 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw on aggregate in the third qualifying round of the Champions League on Tuesday. Marseille kicked off its French league campaign by beating Reims 2-1 last weekend. Vitinha scored the winner against Reims but has no guarantee of leading the line against Metz. The Portuguese striker started on the bench against Panathinaikos before replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the second half. Meanwhile, Metz got a cold dose of reality by opening its season with a 5-1 loss to Rennes. That was Metz’s first defeat in all competitions since a French Cup loss to Lyon in January. Metz will have to play more defensive football to survive in the top flight.
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