European Round-Up: Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 (6-7 October)

This week NPLP are giving you a European round-up of the action in Italy, Germany and France in writing, because, on the podcast this week, we are delighted to welcome ESPN's Spanish correspondent Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan), who chats to us about El Clasico, La Liga and Spain.

Serie A - Milan Derby goes to Inter

A fourth minute Walter Samuel header gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory against their city rivals AC Milan, to pile more pressure on Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The centre-back’s winner came after an error from Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who had performed admirably earlier in the week in his side’s 3-2 victory away at Zenit St. Petersburg.

Despite Inter’s Yuto Nagamoto being sent off in the 48th minute, Andrea Stramaccioni’s men held on to grab their third successive derby win and climbed to fourth in the Serie A table.

For Milan, the defeat was their fourth in seven Serie A matches and it doesn’t get any easier for the under-fire Allegri, with a trip to third-place Lazio - who defeated Pescara 3-0 away thanks to a Miroslav Klose double and a Hernanes strike - up next.

Juventus and Napoli meanwhile remain tied at the top of the table. An 85th minute winner from Claudio Marchisio gave Antonio Conte’s men a precious 2-1 win away at Siena, whilst Napoli took all three points at home to Udinese.

The two table-toppers face each other next (Saturday 20th October, 5:00pm) in what promises to be a titanic battle at the Juventus Stadium.

By Declan Olley (@JournoDec)


Bundesliga - Bayern Munich bounce back from shock Champions League defeat

AFTER their disappointing midweek defeat to BATE Borisov in the Champions League, Bayern Munich continued their 100 per cent start to the Bundesliga.

A Franck Ribery double gave them a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim in a game that the league leaders controlled throughout.

After impressing against Manchester City on Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund continued their stuttering start to the league season with a 1-1 draw away at Hannover 96.

That is three wins, three draws and a defeat in the reigning champions first seven games and they sit fourth in the table.

Eintracht Frankfurt wheels finally came off as they went down 2-0 away at Borussia Monchengladbach but they still are second, five points behind Munich at the top.

By Jack Reed (Yet to embrace Twitter)


Ligue 1 -Ibrahimovic and Gignac cancel each other out in Le Classique

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic grabs the headlines wherever he goes and this weekend in Ligue 1 was no different.

Two spectacular goals from the Swede earned PSG a point away to league leaders Marseille. French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac however, matched Ibra's performance with a brace for himself, consolidating his team’s position as table toppers, leading the league by three points.

A familiar name to British fans earned Lorient a point as they hosted Lyon. Bafetimbi Gomis put the visitors ahead before Jeremie Aliadiere netted for his team who stay fourth. Lyon remain third.

After thumping Marseilles last weekend, Valienciennes failed to hold on to a two goal lead as they drew 2-2 away at Toulouse.

Last years champions Montpellier continue their stuttering start to the season as they lost 2-3 to Evian, thanks to a class Saber Khelifa hat trick. The Tunisian now has five goals for the season. Both teams are on eight points.

Finally, Lille recorded their first home win of the season at home to Ajaccio. They came out 2-0 victors but Joe Cole's former team are having to deal with mid table mediocrity as they currently sit 10th.

By Bill Topping (@toppers06)