Across Europe, the weekend’s soccer action delivered thrilling moments and noteworthy developments in various leagues. Here are some key talking points from the top European football leagues.
Germany – Goals Galore
Bundesliga fans were treated to another round of goal-rich matches. VfB Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy scored twice in their 3-1 victory over Darmstadt 98, taking his league tally to an impressive 10 goals in just five games, equalling a Bundesliga record held by Robert Lewandowski. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane achieved a milestone of his own, netting a brace in their 7-0 rout of VfL Bochum and becoming the first Bayern player to score seven goals in his first five matches for the club. In another remarkable feat, Bayer Leverkusen’s new signing, Victor Boniface, notched two goals in their 4-1 win over promoted Heidenheim, matching the club record for the most goals in the first five league games of a season.
Italy – Arnautovic’s Injury Puts Pressure on Inter’s Front Row
Marko Arnautovic’s brief appearance for Inter Milan in their 1-0 victory against Empoli ended prematurely due to a muscle injury, and he is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. Manager Simone Inzaghi, who had signed Arnautovic to provide rotation options, expressed his disappointment, calling Arnautovic a crucial player who had integrated well into the squad. With Arnautovic out of action, Inter now relies on Lautaro Martinez, Alexis Sanchez, and Marcus Thuram in the forward positions until at least the start of October.
France – PSG Finally with a Clear Playing Style Under Luis Enrique
After a sluggish start to the Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has showcased a distinct playing style in their last two matches. Coach Luis Enrique, formerly with Barcelona and Spain, has been instilling a ‘Tika Taka’ style of play at PSG, and it paid dividends in their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and their commanding 4-0 win against Olympique de Marseille. PSG exhibited confidence on the pitch, with forwards Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani finding the net for the first time this season, signaling a more defined approach.
Spain – Simeone Gets Atletico a Statement Win Against Real Madrid
In a high-stakes Madrid derby, Alvaro Morata’s brace propelled Atletico Madrid to a convincing 3-1 victory over city rivals Real Madrid. This win marked only the second Atletico triumph in the last 13 derbies, as Real Madrid had maintained dominance in the Spanish capital in recent years. Sunday’s impressive performance could serve as a significant confidence boost for Atletico in the early stages of the season, underlining their determination to challenge their formidable rivals.
