The first Welsh Premier League Derby was held this weekend with Cardiff taking the bragging rights, if you were anywhere near Wales this weekend you would think it was the only game on over the weekend. It was a huge affair in South Wales, and was built up all week as 'a tale of two cities', showing the differences between the two industrial cities of Cardiff and Swansea. Some people this week have even said that the Welsh derby is the best in the world, a difficult argument to win, because everyone believes that their teams derby is the best. So I'm going to have a look around world football and find this best derbies. This means the best football, the best atmosphere, stadium, everything that would make you want to go to that game as a neutral.
Galatasaray V Fenerbahce
The two biggest clubs in Turkey, making up almost 70% of the fans in the entire country, with Galatasaray scoring 35% of the votes while Fenerbahce scored 34% in a 2011 survey. Both clubs based in the City of Istanbul this derby has everything, because of the unique position of Istanbul it lends itself to a brilliant derby venue. The only city built on two continents, there is a club on either side, Fenerbache the Asian side and Galatasaray the European. So its a derby, in one city but with all the cultural rivalry of a national game. The atmosphere is brilliant at Fenerbache's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, so what more could you ask for? Possibly, the quality of football, it has everything else and the Turkish league is improving but it is not up there with the quality of football just yet.
Next on: Sunday 10th November 2013 (This Weekend!)
Inter Milan V AC Milan
One of the great city rivalries, improved even more so by the fact that they play in the same stadium, the magnificent San Siro. This rivalry originally comes from a class rivalry, with AC being the bourgeoisie upper class and Inter being the working class. It is debatable that this is not the fixture is was possibly a decade ago. It can't be denied though that some of the the greatest ever players have played in this derby, Kaka, Shevchenko, and Ronaldo all have featured just within the last few years. Although, the quality of the football may have diminished from the Italian league of late, none of the passion has diminished from this great rivalry and it still means everything to Milan to see whether the city is Red or Blue.
Next On: Sunday 22nd December 2013
Celtic V Glasgow
The great old firm derby, if you enjoy playing in a hostile environment as a player, then this is the derby for you. Hostile, loud and steeped in history and tradition. Rangers the Protestants against the Catholic Celtic, another ingredient to throw into the mix if you ever happen the be brewing up the perfect football rivalry. The problem with this derby is when are we ever going to see it again, with the problems that Rangers are going through right now it is not the regular fixture that it used to be. Only a good cup run by both sides could see it happen this time, but who would turn down an Old Firm Cup Final.
Next On: ???
Real Madrid V Barcelona
El Clasico may not be a local derby, but it is one of the fiercest rivalries of any game in world football. Steeped in history as much as any of the others, it is not just one city that stops when this is on, it is the whole of Spain. The importance of this game to Spain and Catalonia is huge. It is the 'royal' Madrid team that was funded by general Franco the fascist leader, against the rebellious area of Catalonia who still want freedom from Spain. This is the Catalans occasion a few times a year to get one over on the mother country. This representation that Barcelona takes for the whole of Catalonia is shown in their motto, 'Mes Que Un Club', 'More than a Club'. This fixture, as well as having the atmosphere, history and passion. Also boasts some of the best players in the world at any one time, Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo to name but a few.
Next On: 23 March 2013
Boca Juniors V River Plate
The Superclasico of South America is the last one on my list, the two most popular clubs in Argentina, again having 70% of the supporters of the entire nation between them. It has been said that this derby 'makes the Old Firm look like a primary school kickabout'. It also spawns some of the great players, Maradona being one, if you are good in Argentina it is likely you'll be picked up by one of these super-clubs. One of the fiercest rivalries in the world, in a stadium where the fences between fans and the pitch are still used, whether you like this or not, it does add something to the atmosphere of a game, hearing the fans bang the iron fences throughout. The game this year has gone, due to the Argentine season being played a different time of year, with Boca taking the spoils. This will only make River more desperate to win next year, in one of the greatest derbies in the world.
Next On: Next Season.
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