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European review: Normal Order restored in Spain as big three go clear

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Yes, it’s a cliché, but why are clichés clichés? Because they’re true. There’s no smoke without fire... oh look, there’s another one, writes Sky Sports News HQ's David Garrido.

And so we’ve seen the naturally, classy order restored in La Liga - the top three from last season who fought out such a thrilling title battle are now in those places once more, just with the order reversed. Real Madrid lead the pack, split from their city rivals Atletico by Barcelona, thanks to 15 wins in a row in all competitions, scoring 57 goals. Talk about a purple patch.

Identifying the change-up in Real this season isn’t as obvious as it seems. Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo would win many matches on his own, but almost just as regular a goalscorer has been Karim Benzema.

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The Frenchman is maturing into the marksman he always promised to be, having matched work ethic to talent.  And James Rodriguez and Isco have also shown plenty of industry. Ronaldo isn’t running with the ball as much, but then he doesn’t need to.

The sides now lying between fourth and seventh all lost last time out, with Valencia and Sevilla falling off the pace slightly, but then they were always expected to and Nuno Espirito Santo and Unai Emery shouldn’t be unduly concerned.

The latest managerial change in Spain’s top division has been the appointment of David Moyes to replace Jagoba Arrasate, his Real Sociedad reign starting with a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna.

Germany

Once again, the Bundesliga season is shaping up to be a one-horse race, with Bayern Munich already seven points clear after just 12 games.

Robert Lewandowski gave Bayern the advantage before half-time
Image: Bayern Munich: Threw away lead at Man City

Even more staggering is the fact they’ve only conceded three goals over that period. Manchester City managed to breach Bayern’s defence as many times in 90 minutes, but you can put that down to Sergio Aguero’s brilliance and the fact that Pep Guardiola’s team played 70 of those minutes with 10 men.

So, with Borussia Dortmund still struggling and Schalke as erratic as ever, it’s up to the likes of Wolfsburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach to try and keep up with the German champions. Again, losses in their last league games won’t have helped their cause whatsoever – good luck with the chase, boys.

Dortmund’s plight hasn’t quite driven the powers that be to give Jurgen Klopp the chop, and you have to sympathise with him because of another campaign disrupted by injuries. Over at Stuttgart, though, Armin Veh has just fallen on his sword after their worst start in 40 years – bottom of the table with nine points from 12 games – and former Schalke coach Huub Stevens is in.

Veh may not be the only manager to give way, as there are plenty of big names in trouble at the sharp end of the Bundesliga. Hamburg are fourth-bottom despite a recent mini upturn in fortunes, including a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen, ending the brief revival of Viktor Skrypnyk’s side.

Italy

The big story in Serie A this month has been the in and out at Inter Milan. In comes Roberto Mancini for a second spell at the San Siro, out goes Walter Mazzarri who never managed to get Inter going this season.

TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 23:  FC Internazionale Milano head coach Roberto Mancini issues instructions during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Inter
Image: Mancini: In charge at Inter

The timing is a little strange; they had just drawn with Napoli and beaten Sampdoria before a defeat to Parma who prop up the table. Ninth may not be good enough for the Nerazzurri, but then they are only five points off the Champions League places. Mancini began with a draw against AC Milan, and it’s Roma away this weekend.

As for Rudi Garcia’s side, having pegged Juventus back in October, they’ve let them go three points clear again after losing in Naples. Juve look like they’re in the mood to take full advantage – their last three matches have all been won comfortably, netting 12 times, including seven in a demolition of Parma. Torino will travel in trepidation for the derby on Sunday.

Two places lower, and just one point above the relegation zone are Atalanta who have scored just five league goals all season – that needs to be remedied soon, or Stefano Colantuono could be in danger.

We’ve mentioned Parma and the punishment they’ve taken recently; Roberto Donadoni has been given a vote of confidence by the club administrator... we’ll see how long that goodwill lasts, as we approach the season supposedly renowned for it.

France

Barely a month ago, Marseille were smiling down at Paris Saint-Germain seven points adrift in Ligue 1. Four league games later, and that gap has been narrowed to just a single point, as PSG won 2-0 in the first “Le Classique” of the campaign en route to racking up eight straight victories in all competitions.

Ezequiel Lavezzi (r):
Image: PSG: Still unbeaten

Laurent Blanc’s side are still unbeaten... nope, not even a defeat in Europe or a relatively meaningless pre-season curtain-raiser. They’ve discovered an edge, especially the presently irrepressible Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan has scored five in five, taking him into double figures for the season. Zlatan who? PSG haven’t missed Ibrahimovic in the slightest because of his heel injury, but don’t tell him we said that...

As for Marseille, even that slender advantage may be under threat – Nantes are the next visitors to the Stade Velodrome, hoping to extend their 10-match streak without defeat and threaten third-placed Lyon. Bordeaux have slipped away slightly though, after recent reverses against the top two.

It was perhaps no surprise that former France international Claude Makelele was sacked as Bastia boss after losing 1-0 to fellow strugglers Guingamp – his 13th and final game... unlucky for Claude. Ironically, without a coach, the club have beaten Montpellier and drawn with Lyon, claiming a couple of clean sheets in the process, to jump out of the relegation zone.

Makelele doesn’t make a bad coach just because of his tough start to management – one swallow doesn’t make a summer. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. The man is a born leader with such a wealth of experience, and he’s sure to make it count leading a team from a different dugout if he chooses to do so.

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