Euro review - Benitez on the brink at Inter
It was another miserable weekend for Rafael Benitez and Inter Milan and a brilliant one for Spain's unstoppable top two, while over in Germany, Borussia Dortmund moved a step closer to a first title in nine years. Here's our the latest events have affected the betting...
Italy
"Has he lost again? It's incredible. They are already nine points behind..." mocked Jose Mourinho after learning of his Inter ([5.1]) successor Rafael Benitez's latest loss, 2-1 away to Chievo. Samuel Eto'o's headbutt on Bostjan Cesar stole headlines, however it is claimed that anything other than a win in midweek against FC Twente will see the Spaniard sacked. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again the hero for AC Milan ([2.08]) as they beat Fiorentina 1-0, Lazio were held 1-1 by resurgent Parma and Napoli continued their fine start by thumping Bologna 4-1, while Roma and Juventus both won.
Spain
Even by Real Madrid ([2.04]) and Barcelona ([2.0]) standards, both were pretty incredible on Saturday, with Real Madrid thrashing Athletic Bilbao 5-1 and Barcelona humiliating Almeria 8-0 away and Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi scoring hat-tricks. It means that while question marks will be raised as to the gulf in class between the top two and the rest of the field, the title race is delicately poised ahead of next Monday's Clasico, as Real Madrid head to the Nou Camp with a one-point lead. Their former boss Manuel Pellegrini was defeated for the first time as Malaga coach by Deportivo.
Germany
It was another great weekend for Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund ([1.54]) as they struck twice in quick succession in the second half to come from behind and win in Freiburg. Elsewhere, the two teams judged their closest challengers, Bayer Leverkusen ([10.5]) and Bayern Munich ([5.3]), drew their clash 1-1, just weeks after Bayern defender Philipp Lahm claimed they couldn't afford any more slip ups. Mainz hinted that a top-three finish could still be obtainable by leaving it late to triumph 3-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach, ending a run of three straight losses to return to second.
France
The cream is gradually rising to the top in Ligue 1, where only two points separate the top eight. Lille ([5.9]) lead after a 2-1 victory over Monaco but they are fourth in the title betting behind Marseille ([2.24]), Lyon ([3.55]) - who after talk of axing coach Claude Puel are now unbeaten in seven after a 3-1 win away to Lens - and PSG ([4.3]). Bordeaux ([11.5]) can't be written off either having lost just once in nine following a 4-2 success against bottom club Arles-Avignon. They host the current table-toppers next in a match that should test whether either can threaten the three frontrunners.
Holland
The big game of matchday 15 between Ajax ([3.8]) and PSV ([1.74]) finished goalless yet was still fairly lively, the most memorable moment being Luis Suarez escaping without sanction despite biting Ottman Bakkal in front of the referee in the closing stages. It was a decent weekend for the leaders despite not taking three points though as FC Twente ([5.8]) were defeated for the second week running, this time at home to AZ. Third-placed FC Groningen ([46.0]) were the other significant success story as their 2-0 win over Feyenoord moved them to within four points of the summit.
Catch any games? Tell us what you made of the weekend's action below...
Published: 22 Nov 2010
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