Major football rivalries
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This article deals with major football (soccer) rivalries around the world. This includes local derbies as well as matches between teams further apart.
Major footballing rivalries manifest themselves in many ways. Fierce conflicts between supporter groups, large media coverage, high television viewing figures and, in some cases, bitter controversy can be both causes and consequences of high-profile rivalries.
[edit] Ajax vs Feyenoord
The most important rivalry in the Netherlands is that between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam, known as De Klassieker (The Classic). Both clubs have won the Dutch national championship numerous times and have dominated the Dutch league since the beginning of professional football in Holland in the 1950s.
Ajax has been the more successful of the two, and is renowned for its technical style of play, while Feyenoord has the blue collar appeal closely associated with Rotterdam as a port city. Critics accuse Ajax of arrogance and feel that the team is favoured by the media, while Feyenoord supposedly plays an unattractive style that is based on a "never say die"-mentality rather than skill. Whether this is true or not depends on whom you support.
Despite the fact that PSV Eindhoven has been more successful than Feyenoord in recent years, only one Dutch league match-up is referred to as the Classic. This is due largely to the fact that at the height of their rivalry in the late sixties and early seventies Feyenoord and Ajax not only dominated Dutch football but were among the best teams in the world both winning the European Cup (Feyenoord in 1970, Ajax from 1971-73) and World Cup in 1970 and 1972 respectively.
Since 1922, 154 official Classics have been played. Ajax winning 63, Feyenoord winning 51 and 39 have ended in a draw (As of 2005).
[edit] América vs Guadalajara
A long standing rivalry between the teams of two of the most important cities in México: Chivas of Guadalajara and America of Mexico City.
Chivas is known for a long-standing tradition of fielding only Mexican-born players, contrasting with América, who typically hires famous foreigners. América is owned by Televisa, the main communications company in México, and thus have a huge fan base in the whole country although Guadalajara also have a larger supporter base nationwide (and is owned by Jorge Vergara, through his company Omnilife). Both teams have been very successful, with América having won 10 championships, and Guadalajara 11.
This match is sometimes seen as the match of the 'capitalinos', the inhabitants of Mexico City, versus the 'provincianos', the people from the rest of the country. As Mexico City holds most of the economic and political power, some resentment boils over. However, not all 'provincianos' share this view, particularly those living in the northern city of Monterrey who also have a share of economical power in the country, their own derby, and their own particular rivalry with Mexico City.
The matches tend to be very colorful, as both Estadio Azteca in México City and Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara seat a very large crowd of enthusiastic and roaring fans. Followers of both teams can be found on almost any city in Mexico.
- América - 70 Wins
- Draws - 65
- Guadalajara - 61 Wins
[edit] FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid
The rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain is generally considered to be one of the biggest in football. From the start the clubs were seen as representatives of two rival regions in Spain, Catalonia and Castile respectively, as well as the two cities themselves.
From a historic point of view the rivalry projects what many regard as the political and cultural tensions felt between Catalans and the Castilleans.
Both the dictatorships of Primo de Rivera and especially of Francisco Franco, openly suppressed all regional identities (e.g. the peripheral dialects were banned), so Real Madrid, as the best representative of the sovereign conservative culture, was called by some the "regime team" (el equipo del gobierno). On the other hand, FC Barcelona was, and still is more than a club (mes que un club) for the Catalonia because it is one of its greatest ambassadors. Also, FC Barcelona is more than a club for many people living elsewhere in Spain, who see Barça as a defender of democratic rights and freedom.
During the Spanish Civil War itself, members of both clubs suffered at the hands of Franco supporters. In 1936 FC Barcelona president Josep Sunyol, a Republican, was murdered by Franco's forces. Rafael Sánchez Guerra, another prominent Republican and Real Madrid president at that time, was imprisoned and tortured. They also arrested and murdered a Real vice-president and club treasurer and an acting president disappeared.
In the 1950s the rivalry was intensified further when the clubs disputed the signing of Alfredo di Stéfano, who finally played for Real Madrid and was key in the subsequent success achieved by the club.
As the two biggest and most successful clubs in Spain, the rivalry is renewed on an almost annual basis with both teams often challenging each other for the league championship. The flashpoints of this rivalry are the twice-a-season superclásicos which draw vast audiences from around the world.
Real Madrid has won more La Liga titles than FC Barcelona, but FC Barcelona has won more Spanish Cups. At the European stage Real Madrid is the most successful club in whole Europe, winning the European Cup/UEFA Champions League 9 times while FC Barcelona has won the UEFA Champion's League only twice, but has the distinction of being the only team to have particpated in the new version of the UEFA Champions League.
[edit] Boca Juniors vs River Plate
These two teams from Buenos Aires, Argentina are the protagonist of the so called El Superclásico of Argentine football (The Superderby. Spanish, clásico –meaning classic– is the word used meaning derby in Argentina). The rivalry between Boca Juniors and River Plate is most intense, and the teams usually take to distribute posters to tease the other team after a defeat between them or even a loss in any major competition, or to show off after winning the local league or an international championship.
This derby is considered to be one of the most exciting in the world. in 2004, British newspaper The Observer made a list of the 50 sporting things you must do before you die, with Watch Boca Juniors Play River Plate in Buenos Aires at the top of the list. Due to their huge fan bases (Boca has 40% of the Argentine population and River 33%, contrary to the popular claim that Boca is club of the half plus one (la mitad más uno),[1] and remarkable success, the rivalry is of great magnitude.
Known worldwide for the passion of the fans, the fields of both teams are loaded with passionate songs (often based on popular Argentine rock band tunes) against their rivals, fireworks, flags and paper. There are also infrequent riots between the hardest supporters of both sides.
The history of matches between them shows an advantage to Boca Juniors, that's why Boca fans call their River counterparts "hijos nuestros" ("our sons") in allusion to statistics favouring their team. This is the record of matches between Boca Juniors and River Plate as of February 5, 2007:
| Championship | Played | Boca | Ties | River |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local League | 179 | 65 | 54 | 60 |
| International Competitions | 25 | 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Friendly Matches | 93 | 37 | 27 | 29 |
| Local Cups | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 298 | 112 | 91 | 96 |
[edit] Celtic vs Rangers
One of the most heated football matches in the world is the "Auld Firm" Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic. Both clubs play in Glasgow, Scotland and the match is one of the oldest derbies in the world, dating back to 1888, when Celtic first beat Rangers 5-2. The Old Firm derby is also one of the most contested matches in the world, with over 400 games having been played.
The Old Firm match is one of the most fiercely battled in the world and the crowds are rarely disappointed. The two clubs are without doubt the most successful clubs in Scotland, and the games can be essential in terms of league positions.
The matches are played at either Ibrox Park with 50,000 fans or Celtic Park in front of 60,000. In some cases, the match is played at Hampden Park, if the tie happens to be a Scottish Cup or Scottish League Cup final. Before an Old Firm game, local news coverage is often of nothing other than the game.
Rangers are considered a protestant club with unionist and loyalist supporters, while Celtic is considered a catholic club with republican supporters. It has long had connections with the political conflict in Northern Ireland, with thousands of fans from Northern Ireland making the trip to Scotland for these matches and there can be occasional violence in Ireland following Old Firm games 1. Indeed, the conflict between the two clubs is so great that only three players have moved between clubs.
Rangers currently lead their rivals in terms of trophies won (the second most successful in World Football with 107 trophies won in their history, behind Linfield FC [1]), although Celtic fans pride themselves on winning the European Cup while Rangers have not. Rangers have also won the now defunct European Cup Winners Cup, and also have an edge in the head to head history between the two clubs :
- Rangers F.C. - 42 Wins
- Draws - 137
- Celtic F.C. - 39 Wins
[edit] Dinamo Zagreb vs Hajduk Split
The Eternal Derby (Vječiti Derbi) between Croatian clubs Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split is one of the most violent in Europe. Both teams belong to the strongest in the country and have strong support groups, which are Bad Blue Boys for Dinamo and Torcida for Hajduk. Torcida were founded in 1950 before the match against Red Star Belgrade and is one of the oldest fan groups in Europe, if not the oldest. The group was named after similar fan groups in Brazil who were also called Torcida. The Bad Blue Boys (often referred as BBB) are much younger and were founded in 1985. According to the legend, the name of the group was inspired by the, at that time very popular, movie Bad Boys. Riots between the two groups are nothing unusual before, during and after the matches.
Hajduk is the team of Dalmatia (Split) and Dinamo is the team of the Zagreb region. Both groups are proud to be Croatian and they both hate everything that comes from Belgrade. In a way they are even a bit proud of their main rivals but despite that they don't get along very well. Until the dissolution of Yugoslavia it even happened that Torcida and Bad Blue Boys travelled together to matches in Belgrade.
[edit] Internazionale vs Juventus
The Derby d'Italia is a semi-annual football fixture in Italian football between Internazionale and Juventus. It is unique in Italian Football due to the fact that, until the 2006-07 season, the derby was the only match which had always been played in Serie A. In the 2006-07 Serie A season, for the first time ever, this derby will not be played as Juventus have been relegated due to the Calciopoli scandal.
Other important derby in Italy is AC Milan vs Internazionale, known as Derby della Madonnina.
[edit] Fenerbahçe vs Galatasaray
This is the clash of Turkey's two most successful teams; Fenerbahçe S.K. and Galatasaray S.K.. For some fans, winning the derby is more important than winning the league. Galatasaray won both the UEFA and Super Cup in 2000, and their fans tease Fenerbahçe fans because of their relative failure in European competitions. Conversely, Fenerbahçe fans mock their opponents due to recent derby results, such as the 2002/03 match in which Fenerbahçe won 6-0 at home. The fans of the two teams are traditionally split along class lines, with Fenerbahçe being the working class team and Galatasaray - who were founded by Galatasaray Lycee students - the more aristocratic. Fenerbahçe is a bit more successful than Galatasaray in the derby, which was first played in 1909. Even though there are ethnic, geographic or religious differences between sides in other derbies in the world, there's almost no difference between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray fans; they are all Turks and most of them would react in the same way in another issue meaning that they don't like the other side because they are of Fenerbahçe or Galatasaray. During 82 years of Turkish football history, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray both have won the domestic league 16 times. Fenerbahçe is a lot wealthier than Galatasaray, but ironically Galatasaray have been more successful in Europe. Fenerbahçe have a 5-star stadium and a budget of around 150 million dollars, while Galatasaray, an UEFA Cup and a Super Cup winner, are unable to make an addition of renown to their squad due to financial problems.
[edit] Flamengo vs Vasco
The so-called "Clássico dos Milhões" (The Millions' Derby), named after the largest fanbases in Rio de Janeiro (and arguably across the country, if one discounts São Paulo state's sheer demographic weight), is considered by most the top Brazilian derby. It has been played since 1923 as Vasco da Gama rose to first division to clinch on the fly its first title, just to be denied an unbeaten row by Flamengo. This was celebrated by the latter as a title of its own and triggered from year 1 a nation-wide rivalry, at first on grounds of social and racial issues (Vasco was founded by Portuguese immigrants and was the first Brazilian club to include black players), and later on mass appeal as Flamengo grew progressively from its aristocratic origins to become the most popular Brazilian side. At state league level, both teams have been major winners: since 1923, Flamengo won 24 cups while Vasco won 22 (tied with Fluminense). From 1972 through 2001, in particular, at least one of both teams featured in every state league final phase, with 11 direct confrontations and 17 direct decisive qualifiers. At national league level, both teams cultivate similar unsurpassed figures, with 4 Brazilian titles since 1971, as a controversial 5th title to Flamengo in 1987 was denied by CBF. Fierce field rivalry also extended to international level where Flamengo boasts one Intercontinental Cup title whereas Vasco was once runner-up in 1998 and later on again in 2000 at the 1st World Club championship. Both teams won once the Libertadores Cup and Mercosul Cup. Runner-up statistics are also part of the rivalry as seen as shameful and hinting a lack of fighting spirit ("raça", i.e. literally race). Since 2002, both clubs seem to confirm their seemingly-atavic rivalry by simultaneously displaying poor performances and struggling to avoid relegation to Brazilian second division. They also compete at high level on other sports such as rowing (their original sport as both were founded "clube de regatas" - rowing regatte club - in 1895 and 1898 respectively, hence the coveted title of "earth and sea"), basketball, swimming, futsal or judo.
[edit] Nacional vs Peñarol
One of football's classic derbies, since 1900, the Uruguayan Clásico is the confrontation between the two greatest teams of Montevideo, Nacional and Peñarol. Both teams have played a big part in developing South American football and are respected in the Americas and worldwide despite their recent lack of international success. Together they sum up 8 Copa Libertadores and 6 Intercontinental Cups
The rivalry is an important component of the country's culture, which is paralyzed every time the clubs face each other at the legendary Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, since the venue never changes no matter which one is the local team. One of the few Derbies with somehow 50% and 50% attendance (others milan-inter/roma-lazio), as Centenario for this game is neutral field.
- Achievements
- C.A. Peñarol: 36 League Titles, 5 Copa Libertadores and 3 Intercontinental Cups.
- Club Nacional de Football: 30 League Titles, 3 Copa Libertadores and 3 World Club Championships.
- Record of red cards: the 0-0 draw of April 14 of 1990, had after a direful fight, 22 red cards,11 each side, (Nacional-9 field players and 2 bench players).The match ended at 85' for the rule of less than 7 players in one team.
[edit] Liverpool vs Manchester United
The Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry in England precedes football, to such an extent that there was even a debate on local television a few years ago detailing the origins of the mutual dislike, which got fairly heated to say the least. Whilst there are some very evident social connotations though, much of the current hatred however stems purely from football.
On a current level outside of football though, these two large cities of England are striving to become the economic powerhouse of the north west region. Manchester recently hosted the 'Commonwealth games' in 2002 which was a huge success while the city of Liverpool will be the 'Capital of culture' in 2008 which should regenerate the area significantly. In the past Manchester was known famously for being the 'first industrialised city of the modern world', even before London. While Liverpool was the premier port of England at one time and was arguably more important than London. During the time since this the two cities had been in decline but have been asscending rapdily over recent years.
Liverpool and Manchester United are two super-heavyweights of the English Football. Between them the two have won 106 major trophies. The 'pool' (Liverpool) 58, while 'United' (Man Utd.) 48. They have played each other 148 times in competitive fixtures, one of the most played games in England. They also happen to be two of the best supported clubs in England and the world, falling only behind Real Madrid and Barcelona's massive fan base and also are two of the richest clubs in the world with Man Utd. being the richest for many years while Liverpool have very recently had two multi-millionaires take over the club. Manchester United have the largest club stadium in Britain with 76,000+ capacity while Liverpool are proposing a new stadium with a capacity of 61,000, possibly 70,000 although this is unlikely. If the new stadium is constructed the two clubs will have the largest Club Football stadiums in Britain.
They have a long standing rivalry, so much so that no player has been transferred directly between the two since Phil Chisnall moved from United to Liverpool in 1964 (though some players have played for both clubs, having been elsewhere in between each tenure e.g. Paul Ince).
The rivalry has its roots in inter-city animosity between Liverpool and Manchester and the historical success both teams have enjoyed throughout the decades. Liverpool dominated the 70s and 80s while Man Utd dominated the 90s right up to the present day. Also during the industrial revolution of Great Britain the two largest conurbations of the north west were battling for surpremacy of the region.
Another reason for the intense rivalry between the two sets of fans is that they are only situated approximately 30 miles apart. 'Mancunians' of Manchester and 'Scousers' of Liverpool as they are referred to often have fracas before and after a game is played between them.
The bitter elements of both teams unfortunately have countless songs and chants of the two horrific disasters that the two clubs have suffered. Some liverpool fans celebrate Manchester's Munich air disaster of 1958 where 19 people perished including 8 first team members and Man Utd. fans celebrate Liverpools Hillsbrough disaster of 1989 where 96 fans were crushed to death. This is the type of factor that renders the Liverpool-Manchester rivalry more intense than any other in the country.
The two clubs also berate each other with slogans and banners, Liverpool supporters once issued a banner at the League Cup Final of 2003 Liverpool v Man Utd stating 'Don't bomb Iraq, nuke Manchester!'. While the Manchester faithful proclaim that scousers are scum of the earth and thiefs and would steal from their granny if necessary.
The Two club captains of Man Utd. and Liverpool also epitomize the intense rivalry superbly. Gary Neville is a 'die hard' Manc while Steven Gerrard is a 'die hard' Scouse. Both players are booed and jeered at each others respective grounds especially Neville at Anfield. Both teams also have big city rivals in Everton and Manchester City respectively, for some supporters of both teams the inter-city contest outranks both of these, but the majority of fans would rank the same city derby as uppermost. This is due to the fact that very few supporters of the cross-city rivals come into day to day contact with each other, whereas United and City, and Liverpool and Everton fans' paths cross daily meaning that banter and bragging are frequently exchanged. United also have a hotly contested and passionate rivalry with Leeds United.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always said that 'Liverpool away' is the hardest fixture on the calendar for his side even though he has had a remarkable record of wins tallied there. They have been the real nemesis of Liverpool at so called 'Fortress Anfield' recently winning more than losing. This cannot be said for any other side in the entire world of football contesting fixtures at Liverpools ground. Liverpool have rarely won at Old Trafford (4 times in the last 25 years).
148 fixtures contested Head to Head
- 'UNITED WINS' 56
- 'DRAWS' 43
- 'POOL WINS' 49
Liverpool- 18 league titles, 5 European Cups, 7 FA Cups Manchester United- 15 league titles, 2 European Cups, 11 FA Cups
[edit] Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos
The Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos FC is the most important rivalry in Greece. It's called Derby ton eonion antipalon (The derby of the eternal enemies) or Mitera ton mahon (Mother of all battles}. They are the most successful Greek clubs. Olympiacos has been the more successful of the two domestically (in terms of honours and titles plus the wins at the derbies) but Panathinaikos is relatively more successful in European competitions (however none of the two teams has ever managed to win a European title, although Panathinaikos reached the European Cup final in 1971).
The derby represents a local animosity too as it is the most classic derby of Athens. Panathinaikos comes from the center of Athens and Olympiacos from the Athens' port, Piraeus. It splits Athens and whole Greece in two. Traditionally, Olympiacos used to represent the working class of Piraeus and Panathinaikos the aristocracy and middle class of Athens, the capital. Now the fanbase of both are almost similar and they are supported by all the social classes (aristocrats, middle class, working class). The hatred is so intense that many times some creepy incidents have taken place between the fans especially before or after the derby in many regions of Athens. The rivalry exists in other sports too (basketball, volleyball, waterpolo etc).
[edit] Glentoran vs Linfield
The Big Two as they are known is one of the most heated and most exciting derbys in Britain. It usually brings crowds of well over 10,000, a large crowd in Northern Ireland. Glentoran and Linfield mainly are large rivals because they are the two most successful clubs in Northern Ireland and only a few miles apart in the city of Belfast. Linfield are seen as the most succesful club in Northern Ireland with 49 league titles. The rivalry is not a religious divide as both clubs are from a Protestant background but still sectarian songs are still heard from the Kop Stand in the Linfield end at Windsor Park matches. There has been trouble at matches in the past with the two clubs. One prime example of the troubles are 23rd Arpil 2005 when Glentoran took the league off Linfield on the 2nd last day of the season. This caused a pitch invasion of Linfield fans and the opposing fans throwing bottles ect.
This year the league title is coming to a tight end again and for the up coming Glentoran vs Linfield match at The Oval the kick-off has been moved to the common time of 3 p.m to an earlier time of 1 p.m. The match will also be all-ticket as usual.
The clubs also have a traditional Boxing Day match that is in the League competition. Glentoran have not won the Boxing Day tie for 18 years. The most recent one in 2006 was a 1-1 draw at Windsor Park. The matches are played at alternate grounds each season. Even number Windsor Park, odd number The Oval. i.e 2006-Windsor Park, 2007-The Oval, 2008-Windsor Park, 2009-The Oval.
[edit] See also
- Local derby
- Argentina and Brazil football rivalry
- Argentina and England football rivalry
- England and Germany football rivalry
- France and Italy football rivalry
- Germany and Netherlands football rivalry
- USA and Mexico football rivalry
[edit] References
- ^ Encuesta Hinchas (Spanish)
