Welcome to the Euro Debrief, the latest Sky Sports column where Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives from this week’s continental fixtures. Below is a comprehensive overview of the key moments, standout performances and the shifting fortunes of clubs across Europe. **Bundesliga Highlights** Harry Kane finally put an end to Elversberg’s brief unbeaten run, netting his 150th goal for Bayern Munich in the 72nd minute. The strike bore a striking resemblance to his World Cup winner against DR Congo, underscoring Kane’s knack for delivering decisive blows when it matters most.
The victory marked Bayern’s first loss of the season, a rare blemish for the German giants. Despite the win, Bayern have yet to reclaim the top spot in the league table. That honor currently belongs to Freiburg, who thrashed Borussia Mönchengladbach 5‑0.
The heavy defeat prompted Mönchengladbach to dismiss head coach Eugen Polanski, who lamented after the Elversberg loss, “We made so many mistakes – it’s incomprehensible to me.” The situation worsened in Freiburg, where the club’s dominant display has turned Gladbach into early relegation candidates after their narrow escape last season. Over at Dortmund, the team maintained its flawless record, thanks to a double‑header from Felix Nmecha that capped a 3‑0 demolition of Paderborn. The opening goal came from Portuguese forward Fabio Silva, who earned his first Bundesliga start of the campaign.
Silva’s fourth goal of the season already eclipses his total from the entire previous year, highlighting his rapid adaptation after the club suffered injuries to its high‑profile Greek signings. Schalke, still finding their footing after promotion, recorded their first top‑flight win with a 1‑3 triumph over Union Berlin, albeit with only 34 % possession. Meanwhile, Niclas Fullkrug continued his scoring streak for Werder Bremen, adding another tally to his growing list. A special shout‑out goes to Eintracht Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who extended his remarkable record by saving a sixth consecutive penalty in the 3‑1 victory at Mainz.
While Nadiem Amiri had already hit ten penalties this season, Atubolu’s composure under pressure proved decisive. **Bundesliga scoreline roundup:** - Union Berlin 1‑3 Schalke - Augsburg 2‑2 Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia Dortmund 3‑0 Paderborn - Freiburg 5‑0 Borussia Mönchengladbach - Hoffenheim 2‑1 Stuttgart - Mainz 1‑3 Eintracht Frankfurt - Cologne 1‑1 Werder Bremen - RB Leipzig 5‑0 Hamburg - Elversberg 1‑2 Bayern Munich **LaLiga Action** Barcelona’s recent away form had been impressive, with five goals in their last two outings, but they settled for a 4‑2 win over Levante, thanks largely to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who scored twice, including a cool penalty. Raphinha seemed to step back from the spotlight, perhaps to aid his Ballon d’Or campaign by sharing the creative burden.
Karim Adeyemi delivered what many consider the best goal of the weekend, showcasing the firepower at Hansi Flick’s disposal. Yet the defensive frailties that have plagued Barcelona remain a concern; stronger opponents may well test their resolve as the season progresses.
In Madrid, Real bounced back from a setback against Real Betis with a dominant 4‑1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabéu. Kylian Mbappé, on loan from Paris Saint‑Germain, opened the scoring and later added a second, while Jude Bellingham also found the net. New signing Yan Diomande made his first start, prompting manager José Mourinho to comment, “He has a lot to learn tactically, but his potential is extraordinary.” Mourinho also praised substitute Arda Güler, who provided the assist for Mbappé’s second goal and created five chances after entering in the 72nd minute – the most of any player on the pitch. The £120 million acquisition of Diomande raises eyebrows, as Madrid already boasts a plethora of attacking talent.
Some analysts suggest Mourinho might have preferred a defensive midfielder to balance the side, especially with Rodri’s departure to Barcelona potentially reshaping the title race. Valencia’s woes continued, culminating in the dismissal of Carlos Corberán after a loss to Sevilla.
The club’s precarious start has alarmed both fans and the board, especially with the imminent opening of the new 70,000‑seat Nou Mestalla stadium. Owner anxiety about a possible second‑division debut has only intensified the pressure. Further north, Deportivo A Coruña enjoy a renaissance led by veteran Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored in each of the first five league games – a record that puts him on pace to challenge the all‑time LaLiga scoring record of seven goals. **LaLiga scoreline roundup:** - Sevilla 1‑0 Valencia - Racing Santander 2‑1 Alavés - Osasuna 0‑2 Espanyol - Athletic Club 1‑1 Elche - Real Madrid 4‑1 Rayo Vallecano - Celta Vigo 1‑1 Málaga - Levante 2‑4 Barcelona - Getafe 1‑1 Deportivo A Coruña - Real Sociedad 0‑3 Atlético Madrid **Serie A Updates** AC Milan rallied from a 0‑2 deficit to draw 2‑2 with Lazio after manager Rúben Amorim’s bold triple substitution at halftime.
He introduced Luka Modrić, Ruben Loftus‑Cheek and Pervis Estupiñán, a move that paid off when summer signing Diego Moreira scored both Milan goals. Amorim admitted, “We secured a point, but we need to improve; you can’t rely on just one half of the game.” The match was played in a stadium where the majority of fans supported Milan, reflecting ongoing protests against Lazio president Claudio Lotito. Coach Gennaro Gattuso likened the atmosphere to playing during the pandemic, yet Lazio remain unbeaten this season.
Juventus saw their unbeaten streak snapped when 20‑year‑old Vasilije Adžić, on loan at Sassuolo, netted a 94th‑minute winner against them after Juventus had equalised in stoppage time. Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono stole the spotlight with a hat‑trick in a 4‑2 victory over Venezia, a performance that came shortly after the club dismissed manager Fabio Grosso. **Serie A scoreline roundup:** - Venezia 2‑4 Fiorentina - Genoa 1‑1 Frosinone - Lazio 2‑2 AC Milan - Atalanta 1‑2 Cagliari - Lecce 3‑2 Monza - Napoli 1‑0 Bologna - Sassuolo 3‑2 Juventus **Ligue 1 Action** Paris Saint‑Germain finally recorded their first Ligue 1 win of the campaign, with Ferran Torres scoring the solitary goal at Brest.
The match was memorable for Luis Enrique’s tribute shirt reading “King Eric” in honor of former Brest coach Eric Roy, who passed away in June. Lille surged to the top of the table after Ethan Mbappé, Kylian’s younger brother, found the net.
New manager Davide Ancelotti has impressed despite losing several star players in the summer window, and Lille are now one of five unbeaten sides. Rennes continued their unbeaten run by handing Marseille a third consecutive defeat. Elsewhere, Monaco and Paris FC both settled for draws, while Lyon’s goalless stalemate highlighted their defensive solidity.
Paris Brunner’s spectacular strike for Monaco underscored his rising reputation. Cameron Archer, on loan from Southampton at Auxerre, delivered a winning goal against Nice after scoring on his debut in a loss the previous week.
His former boss, Will Still, praised his movement and finishing, noting that Archer’s performance helped Still secure his first points as Auxerre’s manager. **Ligue 1 scoreline roundup:** - Rennes 1‑0 Marseille - Strasbourg 1‑1 Monaco - Auxerre 1‑0 Nice - Le Havre 0‑0 Angers - Lorient 2‑2 Toulouse - Paris FC 0‑0 Lyon - Lille 2‑0 Troyes - Le Mans 2‑2 Lens - Brest 0‑1 PSG **Eredivisie and Portuguese League** Davy Klaassen made history for Ajax by scoring in the Eredivisie at 24 different stadiums, a feat only surpassed by the legendary Johan Cruyff. Ajax’s 5‑1 win over Fortuna Sittard was modest compared to Feyenoord’s seven‑goal haul at PEC Zwolle, but PSV’s 4‑1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam was pivotal, propelling the defending champions back to the summit after AZ Alkmaar slipped up against Willem II. In Portugal, Sporting dropped points after conceding a stoppage‑time equaliser at Famalicão, despite the hosts playing with ten men.
Both Porto and Benfica rallied from deficits to claim victories, setting up an intriguing O Clássico next weekend. Overall, the week delivered a rich tapestry of drama, from individual brilliance to managerial upheavals, and the race for the Ballon d’Or continues to heat up as Kane, Mbappé and Yamal each add compelling chapters to their candidacies.