Euro review - Mainz make it six wins in six
Every Monday, we pick out the highlights of the last few days' entertainment in all the big European leagues and there was no shortage this time around, with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Lyon and PSV among the continental giants who dropped points...
Germany
Those who followed our call to lay Bayern Munich at [1.84] to win the title can trade out for an instant profit if they wish after the champions drifted to [2.32] following a 2-1 home loss to shock 100 per cent leaders Mainz, who are now ten points ahead of them. Thomas Tuchel's team are still [14.0] to last the pace though, with second-placed Dortmund [5.5]. Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg ([15.5]) climbed to sixth after a Grafite double against Freiburg delivered a third straight success.
Italy
Claudio Ranieri's bravery earned Roma ([10.0]) their first victory of the season and handed Rafael Benitez his first league defeat as Inter Milan ([2.24]) boss, with sub Mirko Vucinic nodding in the only goal in injury time. It was a good weekend for slow starters as AC Milan ([3.0]) and Juventus ([9.6]) won to move within two and three points of top spot, and Fiorentina got off the mark too. The stars of matchday five however were Lazio, whose away win against Chievo puts them level with Inter.
Spain
Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid after an impressive 3-1 triumph away to Athletic Bilbao. Jose Mourinho's men were held to a goalless draw by promoted Levante and the gap in the title betting lengthened accordingly, with Barca [1.81] to Real's [2.5]. Valencia ([46.0]) stayed top after beating Sporting Gijon 2-0 away but the big story was David Trezeguet's brace as Hercules sunk Sevilla. The Rojiblancos then sacked Antonio Alvarez and replaced him with 2009-10 nemesis Gregorio Manzano.
France
Things continue to get crazier and crazier in Ligue 1, with Lyon ([4.7]) slipping into the bottom three after their first domestic home loss of 2010 against surprise table-toppers St Etienne ([32.0]) and Champions League side Auxerre sneaking past them despite remaining winless. Marseille are starting to justify [3.0] favourites' status and are sixth after seeing off Sochaux. Rennes ([13.5]) deserve lots of credit too - they sold star strikers Jimmy Briand and Asamoah Gyan yet are second and unbeaten.
Holland
It was "Grand Slam Saturday" in the Eredivisie as the unbeaten top four collided and while every club's loss column remained unscathed, PSV ([2.96]) will probably be the most disappointed of the quartet. Whereas leaders Ajax ([1.71]) fought back twice to grab a point away to FC Twente ([6.0]), PSV ([2.96]) leaked an 88th minute equaliser at home to FC Groningen ([21.0]) to miss out on a chance to move level with their rivals.
Catch any games? Tell us what you made of the weekend's action below...
Published: 27 Sep 2010
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