Juventus continued to dominate Serie A whilst Borussia Dortmund lost an opportunity to continue their brilliant start to the season. Here is a look at some of the winners and losers across leading European leagues. Bet on Football here.
Winners
Sarri and Higuain
Juventus and Napoli played out a match that will go down as one of the most exciting fixtures in the Serie A this year. Maurizio Sarri demonstrated that he will be sticking to his idea of football with even better players. Gonzalo Higuain reminded everyone what he is capable of after shaking off three Napoli defenders to beat Alex Meret and give Juventus a second early goal. The teams went into half time with Juve leading 2-0 but the second half witnessed plenty action to finish 4-3 at the end of the game. This was definitely a good day out for Sarri and Higuain, who are former Neapolitans, and it looks as though they made the correct decision to switch allegiances.
Celtic
Celtic moved three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with victory in the Old Firm contest that ended Rangers’ 12-game unbeaten streak. Celtic underlined their determination to make it nine titles in a row, comfortably seeing off their closest rivals. This was particularly satisfying knowing that Rangers had won both of last season’s Old Firm fixtures at Ibrox. Odsonne Edouard scored his fifth goal in seven games against Rangers and Jonny Hayes completed a stoppage-time counter-attack to confirm the win.
Atletico’s substitutes
Atletico Madrid continued their perfect start to the La Liga season by coming from two goals down to beat Eibar 3-2 at home on Sunday thanks to a last-minute winner. The Colchoneros fell behind in the seventh minute and the deficit was doubled shortly afterwards in the 19th minute. Vitolo grabbed the equaliser early in the second half with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Fellow substitute Thomas Partey snatched the winner with a late show of strength and determination to fight off two defenders in the box before smashing the ball into the net.
Losers
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund were surprisingly beaten by the top-flight newcomers Union Berlin in their third game of the new Bundesliga season. Lucien Favre has bemoaned his side’s impatience and this is exactly what cost them the title last season. Dortmund will know each win is vital as they look to end Bayern’s stranglehold on the league crown, having lost last season’s championship by just two points. They really need to learn quickly if they hope to meet their targets this season.
Sebastian Coates
Sebastian Coates endured what has to be one of his most difficult games as a footballer after conceding three penalties and being sent off against Rio Ave. The Sporting Lisbon defender conceded an early penalty in the sixth minuts but all hell broke loose with four minutes to play. He gave away a second penalty as Mehdi Taremi fell over with minimal contact, and soon after he was shown a second yellow in injury time when he slid in on the same player to concede a third penalty. The fouls saw Sporting lose 3-2.
Rennes
After victories over Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg, Julien Stephan’s men were made to eat a humble pie after losing to 2-1 to Nice. The visitors came from behind with a last-gasp effort by Racine Coly, sealing all three points as they ended their guests’ unbeaten season. The result leaves PSG, Rennes, Nice and Angers all level on nine points from four games with the Parisians leading on goal difference.