Real Madrid highest record signing Gareth Bale
started on a flying note with an excellent debut as he found the net in a 2-2
draw with Villarreal CF, on a weekend when Borussia Dortmund showed their class
in a 6-2 defeat of Hamburger SV. Arsenal FC also impressed as they went top in
England, while Falcao scored again for AS Monaco FC and the game between
Juventus and FC Internazionale Milano ended 1-1. UEFA.com recaps the action.
Spain
Bale confirmed his Madrid debut with a goal and Cristiano
Ronaldo who has just penned a 5 years contract also got on the scoresheet, but
the Merengues were eventually held to a 2-2 draw by
Villarreal. "The team's reaction after the first goal was
good," said coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We scored two goals and if we had
paid a little bit more attention we could have won, but it's a fair result
because Villarreal played well. They are a good team." Also on Saturday,
FC Barcelona dug deep to overcome Sevilla FC 3-2 courtesy of Alexis Sánchez's
added-time winner, while Club Atlético de Madrid also made it four wins from as
many games after consigning UD Almería to a 4-2 reverse.
Germany
Dortmund exercised their muscles by overwhelming Hamburg 6-2 to maintain their perfect start to the campaign. "After it became 2-2 we were subdued for a bit, but then it was outstanding," explained Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp. "It was really fun; we were so hard to stop." FC Bayern München are two points back in second after returning to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of Hannover 96, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen posted a 3-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg. Elsewhere, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored his first goal for FC Schalke 04 as they edged out 1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0.
Dortmund exercised their muscles by overwhelming Hamburg 6-2 to maintain their perfect start to the campaign. "After it became 2-2 we were subdued for a bit, but then it was outstanding," explained Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp. "It was really fun; we were so hard to stop." FC Bayern München are two points back in second after returning to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of Hannover 96, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen posted a 3-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg. Elsewhere, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored his first goal for FC Schalke 04 as they edged out 1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0.
England
Arsene at large were at delight after their record signing Mesut Özil set up Olivier Giroud to open the scoring in a 3-1 win at Sunderland AFC on Saturday. "[Özil] was sick on Thursday night and I decided only today to play him this morning," said Wenger. "He dropped a bit physically in the second half but his first half was outstanding." The result took the Gunners to the Premier League summit ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC, who dispatched Norwich City FC 2-0. Elsewhere, Manchester United FC eased past Crystal Palace FC 2-0 at Old Trafford before Manchester City FC drew 0-0 at Stoke City FC. As for Chelsea FC, they succumbed 1-0 against Everton FC.
Arsene at large were at delight after their record signing Mesut Özil set up Olivier Giroud to open the scoring in a 3-1 win at Sunderland AFC on Saturday. "[Özil] was sick on Thursday night and I decided only today to play him this morning," said Wenger. "He dropped a bit physically in the second half but his first half was outstanding." The result took the Gunners to the Premier League summit ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC, who dispatched Norwich City FC 2-0. Elsewhere, Manchester United FC eased past Crystal Palace FC 2-0 at Old Trafford before Manchester City FC drew 0-0 at Stoke City FC. As for Chelsea FC, they succumbed 1-0 against Everton FC.
Italy
The game between Italian giants Juventus and Inter in the Derby d'Italia at San Siro ended in one all draw as Arturo Vidal cancelled out Mauro Icardi's goal for the Nerazzurri within two minutes of the opener, meaning that both clubs dropped their first points of the season. "Today confirmed that Inter can target the top of the table this season, while we are very tough to beat," said Juve coach Antonio Conte. "I saw my team play very well in a difficult arena against a side that has everything to compete right until the end of the season." That draw allowed SSC Napoli to move top with a 2-0 success against Atalanta BC, while ACF Fiorentina wasted the chance to join them, drawing 1-1 at home to Cagliari Calcio, and Genoa CFC triumphed 3-0 at derby neighbours UC Sampdoria.
The game between Italian giants Juventus and Inter in the Derby d'Italia at San Siro ended in one all draw as Arturo Vidal cancelled out Mauro Icardi's goal for the Nerazzurri within two minutes of the opener, meaning that both clubs dropped their first points of the season. "Today confirmed that Inter can target the top of the table this season, while we are very tough to beat," said Juve coach Antonio Conte. "I saw my team play very well in a difficult arena against a side that has everything to compete right until the end of the season." That draw allowed SSC Napoli to move top with a 2-0 success against Atalanta BC, while ACF Fiorentina wasted the chance to join them, drawing 1-1 at home to Cagliari Calcio, and Genoa CFC triumphed 3-0 at derby neighbours UC Sampdoria.
