Another weekend of headlines, golazos and unpredictable finishes across Europe’s most significant league is in the bag. From Bayern Munich hitting best gear in a six-two thrashing of Mainz, to Chelsea’s shock loss at Brighton, to Atletico Madrid after once again coming unstuck in the 99th minute — there was no shortage of drama.
ESPN correspondents Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden, James Tyler and Mark Ogden break down the significant stuff you need to have to know about the weekend.
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Jump to: Talking points | Best objectives | Teams in difficulty | MVP of the Weekend
Talking points
Bayern ultimately hitting stride in the Bundesliga
It’s taken them eight rounds of matches and pretty much two months of fumbling about in league play, but Bayern Munich are ultimately exactly where they count on to be season soon after season. Just a single point off the best soon after Union Berlin’s final-gasp win more than Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, Bayern showed their fullest on Saturday, thrashing Mainz six-two at the Allianz Arena. From right here, you’d count on typical service to resume, with two slumping teams (Hertha Berlin, Schalke 04) and two wildly inconsistent ones (Werder Bremen, RB Leipzig) to play just before the World Cup and an extended winter break, in particular soon after a further massive win that did not actually need considerably work.
Mainz seemed beaten from the opening whistle and have been behind soon after just 5 minutes, providing Serge Gnabry tons of area and time on the edge of the six-yard box to acquire Sadio Mane’s low centering pass and chip it beyond a flailing Robin Zentner to open the scoring. Another flowing move on the half-hour mark led to Bayern’s second aim, with Alphonso Davies and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting combining nicely on the edge of the box to tee up Jamal Musiala for an emphatic, low-driven finish into the far corner. Combination play, precision passing and a thumping finish: you have to get pleasure from the entertainment, correct?
– Watch replay: Bayern Munich six-two Mainz (ESPN+, U.S. only)
Mainz did threaten in what remained of the very first half, with Jae-Sung Lee and Jonathan Burkhardt hitting the post inside seconds of each and every other as Sven Ulreich was beaten, but Mane created it three-, tapping in from close variety soon after Zentner saved his penalty (confirmed by VAR).
After a run of 3 draws and a defeat permitted their rivals to sit in the champions’ seat for a handful of weeks, Bayern have quietly identified kind in spite of spells of not playing properly with Julian Nagelsmann nevertheless figuring out the correct combinations in midfield and attack. Mane appears like he’s constantly been a Bayern player, even though Musiala continues to show the dynamism and goal in midfield that ought to see him breakout in front of a worldwide audience at this winter’s World Cup.
As for Mainz and the rest of the Bundesliga, they ought to retain pushing to not let the Bavarians get as well far away, but as usual for Bayern these days, it only appears like a matter of time just before they do. — Tyler
Sterling falling brief for Potter
Raheem Sterling arrived at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s statement signing earlier this summer season, with the England forward signalling the commence of the Todd Boehly ownership era when finishing a £47.five million move from Manchester City.
But the 27-year-old has accomplished small to warrant his significant-star status so far for his new club and Saturday’s four-1 defeat at Brighton extended his worrying run of kind to just a single aim in 11 games.
Manager Graham Potter mentioned final week that Sterling’s performances and lack of objectives have been down to collective troubles in the group rather than a singular concern with the player.
– Olley: Chelsea collapse at Brighton as Potter’s risky techniques falter
But dig deeper into his contribution below Potter and it is clear that Sterling nevertheless has a lot to do to convince the new boss that he can reside up to his reputation as a single of the Premier League’s most constant forwards.
Sterling has completed 90 minutes just after for Chelsea considering the fact that Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager in September has been been substituted in six of his final seven games — the other getting a goalless draw at Brentford when he began on the bench and replaced Mason Mount soon after 62 minutes.
In 16 appearances altogether for Chelsea, Sterling has scored just 4 objectives and registered two assists, so he is some way brief of the kind he displayed at City.
So is he below-performing at Chelsea or did he look a superior player at City for the reason that he was surrounded by globe-class talent in Pep Guardiola’s group?
Right now, it appears to be the former and Sterling may possibly be seeing his World Cup beginning spot disappear if he continues to fall brief for Chelsea. — Ogden
Graham Potter’s former club hands him his very first loss as Chelsea manager!
What a day for Brighton 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PS9sNw3MH8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 29, 2022
Serie A’s epic battle at the best
With Napoli flying higher, 5 points clear at the best of Serie A and not searching like they are prepared to slow down anytime quickly, it is time to appear behind them at the fascinating race for the best 4.
Below Luciano Spaletti’s guys, we uncover seven teams inside 5 points of each and every other. Between Atalanta, presently second in the table on 27 points and Udinese, in 8th with 22 points, there is a huge fight for who will finish in the Champions League locations. AC Milan, Lazio, Internazionale, AS Roma (with a game in hand) and Juventus are all in the mix.
Atalanta and Udinese are the only ones not playing in Europe this season, despite the fact that Juventus could join them quickly in this category, but they do not have the depth of squads of the two Milanese sides or even Juve. Next weekend, six of the best eight teams will play each and every other: Atalanta-Napoli on Saturday, the Rome Derby in between Lazio and Roma on Sunday, and the Derby d’Italia in between Juventus and Inter. Then, the weekend just before the commence of the World Cup, Atalanta will host Inter, Lazio will travel to Turin and Napoli head to Milan to face Inter.
The Serie A dogfight is properly and genuinely ON. — Laurens
:53
Julien Laurens reflects on Napoli’s dominant run of matches lately.
Atleti’s 99th-minute agony repeat
Atletico Madrid’s miserable week ended with extra 99th minute agony on Saturday as they have been beaten three-two by second-bottom Cadiz in LaLiga. Ruben Sobrino struck the winning aim in a 5-aim thriller nine minutes into stoppage time just 3 days soon after Atletico had been knocked out of the Champions League. Atletico would nevertheless be in the Champions League, although, if Yannick Carrasco had converted a 99th minute penalty in the two-two draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
Sobrino’s winner at the Nuevo Mirandilla came soon after the dwelling side had squandered a two-aim lead with Joao Felix coming off the bench to remind coach Diego Simeone what he’s capable of. Felix, on his day a single of the most talented players in Atletico’s squad, has not began a game considering the fact that Sept. 18 for his club and his final 5 appearances have accounted for a total of 54 minutes. Against Cadiz, Simeone handed him half an hour and his brace looked to have earned Atletico a point.
But then Sobrino struck to leave Atletico eight points adrift of second location Barcelona. Cadiz, meanwhile, are up to ten points, level with a clutch of clubs, like Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla, who dropped back into the bottom 3 soon after losing at dwelling to Rayo Vallecano. — Marsden
CADIZ BEAT ATLETICO WITH A 99TH MINUTE WINNER 😯 pic.twitter.com/Lu4HFEymzv
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 29, 2022
Goals
De Bruyne’s ideal hit
There is the aim itself of course, a fantastic direct absolutely free kick. There is the player who scored it, Kevin De Bruyne in the conversation to be crowned the ideal midfielder in Premier League history. There is the significance of the aim, the winning a single for Manchester City away at Leicester City, in a game devoid of Erling Haaland and exactly where the Citizens necessary some thing unique from an individual.
And ultimately, there is the comment created soon after the game by Guardiola, pretty much hinting that KDB was back soon after going missing for a handful of games, which is a bit harsh contemplating the season the Belgian is getting. But often we are pretty much extra demanding of geniuses like De Bruyne.
Saturday was his day and he delivered in the absence of Haaland. This is De Bruyne’s very first aim from a direct absolutely free kick this season, on his third try. Whether you agree with Pep or not, KDB’s hit on Saturday was a unique moment in this season’s Premier League. — Laurens
The ideal absolutely free-kick ever scored by a City player? 🤔@KevinDeBruyne‘s sublime absolutely free-kick against Leicester 👇 pic.twitter.com/C4da0tdlCb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 29, 2022
Summerville’s birthday present
Leeds United have been waiting for 21 years for a single of their players to score a winning aim against Liverpool at Anfield and Crysencio Summerville ultimately ended their wait — a day just before his 21st birthday.
The final time Leeds won at Anfield, in April 2001, Rio Ferdinand was on the scoresheet for the Whites in a two-1 win. Summerville hadn’t even been born.
But the Dutch forward showed composure beyond his years with the finishing touch to score his aim in the 89th minute.
Spotting a gap at the far post, the former Feyenoord youngster poked the ball beyond goalkeeper Alisson to score in front of the section housing the Leeds supporters.
It was the ideal finish to the ideal day for Summerville, who mentioned afterwards that he would celebrate by flying to the Netherlands on his birthday to devote time with his household. — Ogden
🤯 “That is sensational!” pic.twitter.com/onfkRI5jvG
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 30, 2022
Hey Jude!
Apologies for the undesirable pun about Borussia Dortmund star (and best transfer target of Every Club In The World FC) Jude Bellingham’s name, but I shall not say sorry for his brilliant aim on Saturday — a single that proved to be the game-winner as BVB racked up an impressive two-1 win on the road at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Following a fancy flick-on by Youssoufa Moukoko (who is beginning to appear superior and superior in that center-forward part), Bellingham surged into the box, reduce beyond a single defender and left quite a few other people fumbling just before arrowing a shot into the best-left corner. It was flair, it was force, it was every thing you want to see from an attacking midfield talent like the 19-year-old England international. That it helped Dortmund choose up all 3 points created it even sweeter. — Tyler
:51
Jude Bellingham continues his hot scoring streak for Borussia Dortmund at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Teams in difficulty
Leverkusen trending down
There’s a issue at Bayer Leverkusen, and it is evident that soon after the Oct. five coaching modify — goodbye Gerardo Seoane, hello Xabi Alonso — and just a single league win considering the fact that the finish of August that it will take very some time to figure out. The talent is there — Moussa Diaby is electric on the wing, Robert Andrich remains persistent in midfield — but the benefits just do not add up and that was accurate once again this weekend, exactly where Leverkusen went to Leipzig and managed just 5 shots (.14 xG) in a rather boring two- defeat.
Things could surely modify when some big players ultimately return from lengthy-term injuries (you can see exactly where they are missing Florian Wirtz to knit every thing with each other in the final third), but it is probably that the true operate will not commence till the World Cup break, which suggests that kind and self-assurance probably will not return till the new year. It should not be as well late to save their season, but it is going to need a lot of saving. — Tyler
Marseille cannot quit the rot
Marseille have been currently my group in difficulty final week, but they have to be up there once again soon after a further disappointing outcome — this time at Strasbourg.
Three days just before the most significant game of their season, at dwelling against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League to make it to the final 16 or not, they could not afford to retain their damaging spiral in Ligue 1 going. After 3 defeats in a row, they had to get back to winning techniques. Despite a superior very first half, Igor Tudor’s side created the similar blunders as in their final league encounters and conceded two late objectives to only go dwelling with a point.
It is not superior sufficient at the moment for the Marseillais and the stress is going to be huge, not just on Tuesday against Spurs but also on Sunday against Lyon at the Velodrome. The Olympico is a massive occasion and a single l’OM can’t shed. — Laurens
1:24
Julien Laurens and Craig Burley preview the Champions League matchup in between Tottenham and Marseille.
Weekend MVP
Lewa keeps his cool for Barca
There may possibly have been superior performances than Robert Lewandowski’s in Europe this weekend but handful of will have been as critical as the Barcelona striker’s at Valencia. Lewandowski struck the winner in the 94th minute of a difficult-fought game at Mestalla to earn his group 3 points, cancel out the criticism which would have followed a draw soon after Champions League elimination in midweek and, most substantially, move Barca to inside a single point of leaders Real Madrid, who have been held by Girona on Sunday.
Xavi Hernandez has spoken about the need to have to connect extra with Lewandowski but the Poland international under no circumstances disconnects from the game, no matter how considerably of the ball he sees. That was evident against Valencia. When Raphinha’s cross dropped into the box in the fourth minute of stoppage time, he was switched on and athletic sufficient to generate a brilliant finish back across the goalkeeper. It was his 18th aim of the season and, to date, maybe his most critical for Barca so far. Time will inform just how important it was when the points are added up at the finish of the season. — Marsden
