Euro review - Messi hurt in Barcelona win
There's plenty to reflect on after another busy weekend in Europe, with supposed challengers like AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Bordeaux all well of the pace and unexpected table-toppers all over the continent, such as Serie A newcomers Cesena...
Spain
Barcelona finally ended their Vicente Calderon curse with a 2-1 triumph over Atletico Madrid, however the three points were overshadowed by Lionel Messi leaving on a stretcher with an ankle injury. The [1.92] Liga frontrunners stay a point behind Real Madrid ([2.22]), who were 2-1 winners away to Real Sociedad but David Villa and David Silva-less Valencia ([80.0]) are the club leading the way after a 2-1 away success of their own against Barcelona-bothering new boys Hercules. It was also the first weekend since February where no top-flight Spanish game featured five or more goals.
Italy
Two of Serie A's finest unbeaten home runs were ended yesterday as Palermo and Sampdoria led then lost 2-1 to Inter Milan and Napoli after over 18 months without home league defeats. Title favourites Inter ([2.08]) are joint-top after a Samuel Eto'o brace, with promoted Cesena ([700.0]) shock leaders after beating Lecce 1-0. Juventus ([8.8]) enjoyed their first win 4-0 away to Udinese, while last year's runners-up Roma ([7.8]) remain winless after Lazio fan Marco Di Vaio struck twice to fire Bologna back after trailing 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. AC Milan ([4.1]) were held by Catania.
Germany
Never underestimate the Bundesliga's ability to surprise. In pre-season, it was widely predicted that Bayern Munich would easily win the league but a goalless home draw with Koln leaves them seven points off top. Despite that, they are a [1.84] lay to retain the title. Mainz ([36.0]) are the pacesetters and moved two points clear of Hoffenheim with a hugely impressive victory away to Werder Bremen ([23.0]). Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg won at last against Hannover, while Stuttgart thrashed Borussia Monchengladbach 7-0, yet Schalke are still pointless after a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund ([12.5]).
France
It was an uncharacteristically normal weekend in Ligue 1 as champions Marseille celebrated their second success of the season, 3-0 away to hapless Arles. They're still only joint favourites with Lyon at [2.55] despite the latter's 2-0 defeat to Bordeaux ([11.5]). None of those three big guns have started well, though they can all take comfort from the fact they're not Auxerre - the Champions League team are second bottom after losing to Lille. A 3-0 victory over Montpellier saw St Etienne ([65.0]) climb to the top of the standings, as Toulouse paid the price for a goalless draw in Monaco.
Holland
It was a brilliant Sunday for Martin Jol and Ajax as the [1.92] Eredivisie market leaders took a rare three points back home from Feyenoord and opened an advantage over fierce rivals PSV ([2.62]), who having scored 17 times in their first five matches were held 0-0 away to Roda. Next up they host FC Groningen ([23.0]), who are level on points with them after defeating Excelsior 2-0. Champions FC Twente ([7.0]) are unbeaten but now four points shy of Ajax after being held by Heracles.
Catch any games? Tell us what you made of the weekend's action below...
Published: 20 Sep 2010
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