Christmas Catch Up

ITALY

After England, Italy is probably the busiest country in terms of fixtures over the festive period. Inter and Juventus still lead the table after consistent results in the Serie A. However, Inter crashed out of the Coppa Italia after defeat to Bologna! While most of the big teams remain in the Coppa Italia there have been some interesting results in the league. Napoli, who were beaten in the cup to Frosinone then drew to Monza and lost versus Torino, while Genoa picked up a point both against Inter and Bologna!

SPAIN

The latest set of games in Spain has been the Copa del Rey. All the big names are still remaining in the competition after wins this weekend, with no real surprises occurring. Meanwhile, in La Liga it is Real Madrid and Girona who are the two battling it out for the title, both on forty-eight points, Madrid with the superior goal difference, could we see a surprise come the end of the season? Girona are not just here for the ride either. Now with only one loss in nineteen, off the back of beating Atletico Madrid 4-3 with a ninety-first minute goal, they’ll feel like they can beat just about anyone. Madrid and Girona are now ahead of Barcelona by seven points and face one another in early February, that game could be a real classic.

FRANCE

Over in France there’s been no league games, only the Coupe de France as they returned to playing this weekend. Some big scores were recorded. PSG defeating US Revel 9-0 with Kylian Mbappe bagging a hat-trick, meanwhile Lille ran out 12-0 winners versus Golden Lion as both Jonathan David and Edon Zhergova scored hat-tricks and Hakan Arnar Haraldsson and Yusuf Yazici were both at the double with goals and assists. Lyon beat their opposition 3-0 as they picked up their fourth win in a row, finally finding some form!

GERMANY

It’s always quiet in Germany over Christmas. Bayern and Wolfsburg were the last teams to play in the Bundesliga, Bayern coming out 2-1 winners just before Christmas. The Bundesliga returns this weekend with Bayern the first to play versus Hoffenheim, the break they have can really be put into perspective when you look at the fact Liverpool have played five competitive games in the time the German sides have had off!