5 Major Talking Points From European Football As Bayern, Barca Suffer Losses

Girona seems to be the biggest winner in this weekend’s football action across Europe after the Catalan club climbed to the summit of the La Liga table with an impressive win over Barcelona.

In England, Aston Villa are already dreaming about laying their hands on the Premier League title as they once again showed their title credentials against Arsenal.

According to Punch NG, Unai Emery’s men earned a historic 15th consecutive home win after grinding out an impressive 1-0 victory against the Gunners at Villa Park on Saturday.

In Italy, Inter Milan continues to show why they are the number one title contenders this season after yet another victory, but Bayern Munich suffered one of their most embarrassing losses in Bundesliga history this weekend.

Juventus fan takes swipe at Inter Milan for Champions League final loss to Manchester City

Football

Sports Brief highlights the top five talking points from all major European leagues over the weekend.

Five talking points from major European leagues

1. Inter are still favourites for Serie A

Inter Milan returned to the top of Serie A with an easy win over Udinese as they showed why they are the leading title contenders for this season ahead of Juventus and Napoli, the BBC reports.

Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco, and Marcus Thuram all scored in the first half for Inter, before Lautaro Martinez added his 14th league goal of the season late on for an emphatic 4-0 victory.

The Nerrazzuri are now two points above closest challengers Juventus and nine clear of third-placed AC Milan, who earlier lost to Atalanta.

2. Bayern Munich sucker-punched in Bundesliga race

Bayern Munich were thrashed 5-1 by a ruthless Eintracht Frankfurt on a punishing afternoon in the Bundesliga for Thomas Tuchel's team, Eurosport reports.

The Bavarians were outfought and out-thought by an inspired home side that raced to a three-goal lead before finding it easier and easier to pick off their opponents as the reigning champions pushed harder and harder to come back into the game.

Bayern entered the game on the back of five successive league wins while Frankfurt had not won any game in their last four, but that was turned on its head as the Bundesliga champions suffered their first loss of the season in the most embarrassing manner.

3. Should Pochettino remain at Chelsea?

Mauricio Pochettino seems to be planning long-term at Chelsea after he suggested the London club must consider spending in the January transfer window after another humiliating defeat, Sky Sports reports.

The Blues suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time under the Argentine manager on Sunday, as Everton defeated them 2-0 at Goodison Park.

Chelsea fans are already getting impatient with the manager as they feel the team under the former Tottenham maestro lacked a sense of direction as they have not improved from where they were last season.

4. Manchester United are still clueless

Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United hangs after Manchester United suffered yet another defeat under the Dutch manager over the weekend.

The Dutchman’s hopes that a turning point had been reached after last week’s win over Chelsea were short-lived as a 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday saw a troubled campaign reach a new low, PUNCH reports.

The Red Devils sit sixth in the Premier League after seven defeats in their opening 16 games.

5. Barcelona needs a miracle fast

Barcelona were pummelled in their own backyard, losing 4-2 to table-topping Girona in a game in which they appeared empty of ideas and inspiration, dropping them to fourth in the La Liga rankings, MARCA reports.

The Catalans giants' chances of defending the La Liga title they won last season are quickly evaporating after another below-par performance by Xavi’s men.

However, it was a special night for Girona and their fans as they claimed their first-ever away victory over Barcelona.

Girona moves to the summit once again, leap-frogging Real Madrid to lead by two points. After 16 games, they are on 41 points. Barcelona, meanwhile, slipped down to fourth behind Atletico Madrid, both with 34 points.

Michel on Girona’s title chance

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that despite the impressive performances that placed them as frontrunners, manager Miguel Angel Sanchez Munoz emphasised that winning the league is not Girona's primary goal.

The manager, known as Michel, helped the team coast to a 10th-place finish through the 2022-23 season. He has expressed doubt about his team’s chances of upstaging Real Madrid and Barcelona for the title.

While the Girona manager's words convey a sense of realism about the team's objectives in the Spanish top flight, the on-field performances suggest they are a determined side eager to compete for the La Liga title.