Football equivalent of the gunfight at the OK Corral

It has been billed as the Battle of Britain – or at least England. But tonight’s showdown in Manchester is more than simply a contest to decide the best English side in Europe, or even which of two rival cities has this season’s bragging rights, writes David Shonfield.

This is a clash between two distinct schools of football, the German and the Spanish, and whoever comes out on top – Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola – will be putting down a marker for the World Cup as well as the Champions League.

Germany and Spain have become the most significant football rivals in Europe over the past decade, even if that rivalry doesn’t have the same edge as some other contests.