10 football rivalries you must experience before you die (Part 1)

Disclaimer: This article is based on the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Sportskeeda.

Rivalries in football are nothing new, some have been going on for ages, and some are just for bragging rights. Cultural, as well as regional, differences contribute to the fierceness of these clashes and performances of players in such matches decide whether they will be eternally loved or hated.

The following are rivalries that are intense, fierce and border on the insanity, with fans churning up a riot of colour, noise and energy. It is therefore unassumingly advisable that if you’re a crazy football fan and if you’ve got loads of cash to spare, that you visit either of these mega-events in your lifetime.

10. Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke 04:

They may not be as intense as the local derbies in South America, or as glamorous as the El Clasico in Spain, but Germany’s grudge matches are also steeped in tradition and intensity. The rivalry between the clubs is rooted in the similarity of their fan bases. Both clubs are supported mainly by fans of a working-class background within close geographical proximity.

Overall Stats: Dortmund – 47 wins, Draws – 33, Schalke – 56 wins

9. Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica:

The Derby de Lisboa is the most important football derby match in Portugal. Sporting fans used to represent the wealthier society from Lisbon, while Benfica fans represented the working class. The rivalry originated back in 1907 when eight Benfica players switched to the Sporting side in search of better working conditions.

8. Roma vs Lazio:

The Derby della Capitale is considered to be the fiercest inter-city derby in the country. The derby has been historically marked by massive crowds, excitement, violence and, more recently, racist banners in the crowd. Both teams hate the arrogance from the Northern teams (Milan, Turin) but they hate each other more. The political differences between the fans is another one of the reasons of this rivalry.

Overall Stats: Roma – 63 wins, Draws – 60, Lazio – 47 wins

7. Club Nacional de football vs Atletico Penarol:

One of football’s classic derbies, since the late 19th century, the Uruguayan Clásico is the confrontation between the two greatest teams of Montevideo: Nacional and Peñarol. The 0-0 draw of 14 April, 1990, deserves a mention, and was not for lacking a good fight, with 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.

6. Liverpool vs Manchester United:

Considered to be one of the biggest rivalry matches in England, the rivalry has extended to the players as well: United striker Wayne Rooney, a product of Liverpool’s city rivals Everton, described how he grew up hating the Reds, while Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard took a film crew on tour of his home where he showed off a collection of football shirts he had swapped with opposing players; he pointed out that there were no Manchester United shirts in there and that he would never have one of them in his house. The Evra- Suarez incident can be considered just a tip of the iceberg.

Overall Stats: Manchester United – 74 wins, Draws – 51, Liverpool – 62 wins

Stay tuned for the next article describing the top 5 soccer rivalries you must watch before you die!

Disclaimer: This article is based on the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Sportskeeda.