La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Eredivise round-up: Who's flying high across Europe?
Tuesday 10 November 2015 22:20, UK
As we head into another international break, we evaluate how things stand across Europe, as Lionel Messi's absence is quickly forgotten thanks to Neymar's brilliance.
With the thrills and spills not just confined to the Premier League, we take a look at Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands, and explain who the frontrunners are, whose goals have been pivotal to their respective team's fortunes, and who has exceeded all expectations to be sitting in a lofty position.
Familiar foes challenging for La Liga title
After Villarreal were the surprise early pace-setters in Spain, the traditional powerhouses have flexed their muscles, and a familiar tussle is taking place at the summit.
Injuries have affected the Real Madrid squad, making it all the more difficult for new boss Rafa Benitez to make a good impression at the notoriously hard to please Bernabeu. Despite this, it took a spirited display from Sevilla at the weekend for Benitez to taste defeat for the first time since taking charge in the capital, allowing their El Clasico rivals Barcelona to sit pretty at the top of the division.
Lionel who? That is the question Barcelona fans have been asking themselves as the Catalan giants have opened up a three point gap at the top of the table. Neymar and Luis Suarez's blossoming partnership has been integral to their fine form, with the pair notching 16 goals in the six La Liga games since Messi's injury.
It is not just the strike duo who have stepped up their game in the absence of their talisman, however. Sergio Busquets has acted as creator-in-chief, and proved he is more than the midfield anchorman. Filling the void left by Xavi with aplomb, Busquets has been described as the best midfielder in the world by his manager. High praise indeed.
Atletico Madrid are not far behind. Sunday's last-minute 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon moved Diego Simeone's side to within four points of leaders Barca, and a point adrift of Real. A huge squad overhaul in the summer, with key players such as Arda Turan and Mario Mandzukic departing, seemed to take its toll as the Rojiblancos got off to a disappointing start, but Atleti's faith in youth has reaped rewards as they have kept pace with the top two.
Changing of the guard in Spain?
A Barcelona player leading the league scoring charts is no surprise, but one that isn't Messi is, and in Neymar, has the Argentina captain got a potential rival to his throne in Catalonia?
The Brazilian superstar's ability seemingly knows no bounds, as his scintillating strike in the weekend win over Villarreal shows, and rather than missing Messi, Barca have in fact turned on the style.
With the perfect foil alongside him, Neymar has revelled in being the main man in the Nou Camp, unfazed by the media furore his form is creating.
Spanish expert Guiillem Balague believes that Neymar is just behind Messi as the second best player in the world, and with 10 goals in just seven games, and Ronaldo looking increasingly frustrated under Benitez, who could argue?
Moyes' misery, Celta riding high
Having made the move to the Bay of Biscay to try to get his career back on track almost exactly one year ago, David Moyes has been relieved of his duties at Real Sociedad.
Just two wins from 11 games, with a squad bolstered by Asier Illarramendi's return in the summer and Imanol Agirretxe finding his goalscoring boots, was deemed not good enough for the Basque club, and the Scot was dismissed with the club hovering above the relegation zone.
Surprise packages Celta Vigo occupy the final Champions League qualification spot. At the age of 29, striker Nolito has been in the form of his life in front of goal for Galicians, forming a prolific partnership with former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas, with the pair helping Celta outscore everyone in the division other than Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Serie A there for the taking
What's happening elsewhere in Europe?
Despite securing the services of some tried and trusted reinforcements in the summer, such as Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira, Juventus have had a nightmare start to the season and languish a previously-unthinkable nine points off the top, after securing their fourth straight Scudetto last campaign.
Gonzalo Higuain has been firing on all cylinders for Napoli and leads scoring charts, but in such a congested division, even the Argentinian hitman's goals are not enough to lead the way.
Fiorentina sit top, Roberto Mancini's Inter Milan are second on goal difference after a massive squad overhaul in the summer, with many people's favourites Roma just one point behind.
Defensive frailties have been the Giallorossi's undoing, but should they shore things up at the back, the title could be returning to the Eternal City in time for Francesco Totti to go out on a high.
Bayern out in front, Dortmund back on form
With Pep Guardiola at the helm and the addition a plethora of top talent to a title winning squad, it is hardly surprising Bayern Munich already hold a commanding lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
Douglas Costa, Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman have all made a world class team even more formidable, but it may not be completely plain sailing for the Bavarians.
Under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel, Dortmund have found a successor to Jurgen Klopp's throne, and the free-flowing football has returned to the Ruhr.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the scoring charts, alongside Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, and only Real Madrid and Barcelona have netted more times than Tuchel's men.
Business as usual in France
Another year, another campaign dominated by Paris Saint-Germain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
While Angel Di Maria is once again struggling in new surroundings, the Swedish superstar has fired 18 goals for the Parisiens as they have opened up a colossal 10-point lead already at the summit of Ligue 1, with a rejuvenated Lyon, spearheaded by the in-demand Alexandre Lacazette, in second.
The surprises follow, with little-known Caen and Angers occupying the third and fourth spots respectively, as the likes of Monaco and Marseille continue to struggle.
PSV crown in jeopardy
After losing skipper Georginio Wijnaldum and player of the season Memphis Depay in the summer, PSV Eindhoven's title defence has faltered, allowing arch-rivals Ajax to steal a march and sit top of the pile.
Feyenoord are once again challenging at the top of the league, with the returning Dirk Kuyt defying his years to lead the scoring charts with PSV's Luuk de Jong.
