Find out what’s been going on in Europe this weekend

SERIE A

We begin this weekend’s review in Italy, where we see a new Milan team top of the table after AC displaced their rivals Internazionale from top spot. Bologna were the team who held Simone Inzaghi’s side to a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon, allowing AC the opportunity to step up and go top of the table if they won versus Genoa. That is exactly what they did on Saturday night. A tight game finished 1-0 to Milan in a chaotic match where both teams saw their goalkeepers dismissed, this led to a brief spell in net for Olivier Giroud who did what was required of him to seal the win for his side. Not forgetting that it was a goal from Christian Pulišić which was the difference between the two. 

On Sunday we saw Fiorentina face last year’s champions in Naples. Two teams who pregame were only separated by goal difference but post game we saw one leapfrog the other. A penalty goal from Victor Osimhen wasn’t enough to salvage anything for Napoli as Fiorentina came out as 3-1 winners, with help from goals from Josip Brekalo, Giacoma Bonaventura, and Nicolás González. Although many would say Napoli have had a poor start to the campaign, after winning it by sixteen points last time out, it’s important not to downplay Fiorentina’s progress at the beginning of this season.

LIGUE 1

Over in France AS Monaco continued their positive start to the campaign with a 3-1 win over Stade Reims, keeping their spot at the top of the table. Goals came from Folarin Balogun, Wissam Ben Yedder, and Ismail Jakobs, who had a superb game, as the away side scored three in the four minutes either side of half time to win. Elsewhere in France Luis Enrique’s side went into their game vs Rennes looking to improve on their last performance after they were dismantled midweek at St James’ Park in the Champions League. Goals from Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Randal Kolo Muani helped PSG achieve a 3-1 win, surprisingly their first away win in over a month.

On a more sour note what occurred in the Montpellier vs Clermont game cannot be ignored. Heading into the final moments of the game, with Montpellier leading 4-2, a firework was thrown onto the field which exploded next to Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw, who performed excellently last week against PSG. This, rightly so, led to the match being abandoned. Yet again in football another instance of failure from a club to protect its players, staff and fans in the stadium. It’s yet to be known how the game will be settled. 

LA LIGA

Back to the footballing action. Over in La Liga Los Blancos won again to remain top of the table in Spain’s first division. Solid performances across the park, especially from Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, enabled Real Madrid to easily dispatch Osasuna in a 4-0 win. It’s really not enough to just mention JB5 in passing, he scored another two goals this weekend to bring that to ten goals in ten competitive games for him, not to forget the three assists too since he’s moved to Madrid. Turning to the team Madrid conquered last week, Girona came back from last week’s defeat to pick up another 3 points in Cadiz as they won 1-0 versus a 10-man side. I personally am very pleased to see them return to winning ways, and their positive start to the campaign, after last week’s first loss of the season. 

One place below Girona in third is Xavi’s Barcelona who were held away to Granada this weekend. Coming from two goals behind, courtesy of Bryan Zaragoza’s double, to draw 2-2 in a game where Barca fans thought they had won it when Joăo Félix found the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside in the ninety third minute. An important point for Granada, while despite being unbeaten still Barcelona dropped to third in La Liga. Congratulations goes to Lamine Yamal who made history scoring what was his first La Liga goal, becoming the league’s youngest ever goal scorer. 

BUNDESLIGA

There’s only one place to begin in Germany and that is with Serhou Guirassy. He picked up his second hat-trick of the season in a 3-1 win vs Wolfsburg, Harry Kane who? With an outstanding thirteen goals in seven Bundesliga games he’s the main reason for Stuttgart sitting second in the Bundesliga, only behind the unbeaten Leverkusen. He has more goals already this season than the whole of last, give him his flowers. Speaking of Leverkusen, they picked up another win this weekend, making that six from seven this season. They ran out victorious over Köln, who sit bottom of the league with only a single point… it’s not looking good for them. Jonas Hofmann starred with a brilliant performance, including a goal and assist, as Xabi Alonso’s side won 3-0.

In Dortmund was where my Bundesliga game of the weekend took place. Union Berlin were the visiting side as Dortmund triumphed 4-2, coming from 2-1 behind after Leonardo Bonucci scored his first goal for his new side. An impressive performance from Edin Terzić’s side who now seem to be getting used to life without Jude Bellingham . BVB remain fourth in the table with this win, equal on points with the team they were in a title race with last campaign, Bayern Munich. In terms of Union Berlin’s performance, they will be disappointed to have let their lead slip, this became their seventh loss on the bounce in all competitions. A totally contrasting start to this season than last campaign, they sat top of the table this time last season. It would seem the lack of squad depth is taking its toll on the side now they’re in the Champions League, I for one am really hoping Urs Fischer’s side can pick up some form after the international break.

ELSEWHERE

In Portugal the top four teams all won. Braga, Benfica, Porto, and Sporting Lisbon claimed another 3 points, with the latter remaining unbeaten eight games in. Although surprisingly Chaves’ Hector Hernandez leads the golden boot race after a hat-trick versus Gil Vicente this weekend. 

Ajax continued their disastrous start to their league campaign with another loss , this time a 2-1 defeat to AZ Alkmaar who themselves are unbeaten and sitting second in the league. This result means Ajax sit sixteenth in the table, in the relegation play offs! Elsewhere in the Netherlands PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord also won, keeping their unbeaten start intact.