So, far it's looks like Bayern and RM are the big winners in the transfer season.

I think that Dortmund have done okay out of this window so far, but yes, Real and Bayern have signed some very good players indeed.

Juve also have to be up there, the one area of the team, where they were weak, is now, no longer weak.

Start of the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 seasons tonight. Both Bayern and PSG in action. Great to have some quality football back on the box. Been far too long.

Looking forward to Bayern v Borussia, always a fantastic occasion, PSG v Montpellier and also the Man United v Sevilla testimonial.

Good for Bayern to win their opening game but I didn't think they looked convincing. Perhaps it will take them a while to adapt to Pep's style, but for me they looked vulnerable with Schweinsteiger as the only holding midfielder. He's an excellent retainer of possession but when Monchengladbach pressured him they found success on a few occasions and there wasn't a ball winner like Martinez or Gustavo there to help out. Robben and Ribery still look as hungry as ever though and with those two plus Mandzukic, it's a fearsome attack.

Looks like the 2nd and 3rd best sides in Germany will also win today. Dortmund currently 3-0 up away to Augsburg with a hat-trick for Aubameyang on his league debut. I would have loved to have seen him come to England after seeing him improve dramatically in France over the past 2 years but only Newcastle appeared to show interest! To put in perspective just how quick he is, he claims his 30m sprint time is faster than Usain Bolt's! Leverkusen also leading 3-1 despite losing Schurrle in the summer. His replacement from Hamburg, possible future Korean future star Son, has managed to get on the scoresheet.

Great to have football back.

I think Bayern looked okay, I think they will eventually adapt to Pep's style. They had moments of vulnerability, as the game was open at times, but in the first twenty minutes Bayern were excellent, coasting almost. Dortmund weren't too good in the first half against Augsburg, but came to life in the second half. It's going to be a very exciting Bundesliga.

Monaco managed to get their Ligue 1 campaign underway with an impressive 2-0 win away at Bordeaux, with Falcao bagging his first league goal of the season. It should be an interesting race for the French golden boot with Cavani and Ibra in the league. PSG drew 1-1 away at Montpellier but won't be too worried as they're notoriously tough to beat at home. Former titans Lyon sit top after matchday one thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Nice at home. A brace for Lacazette and one for Grenier; they could be two youngsters to watch this season in France.

Tight wins for Bayern and Dortmund this weekend. Bayern didn't look very convincing but will obviously be happy with a 1-0 win away from home against a side that finished 6th last season. Dortmund didn't look great either as Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Lewandowski all had poor games. Meanwhile, the Braunschweig keeper was having a great game but the Dortmund youngster Hofmann came on and managed to have an impact, scoring the first goal and winning the penalty that Reus converted. Dortmund sit top on GD after matchday 2.

PSG had an eventful game against Ajaccio, having 37 shots and 80% possession to the away team's 2 shots and still drawing 1-1. Their fans might just be sweating a little seeing their team already 4 points off the pace after 2 games they will have expected to win. Monaco won comfortably at home 4-1 against Montpellier with Falcao getting just the 1 goal. Lyon sit top after an impressive 3-1 win away at Sochaux. Incredibly, Lacazette was nearly 3/1 to score anytime! I had some of that and the lad delivered.

Serie A gets underway this weekend. Can't wait!

Week two of Serie A is underway. Napoli travelled to Chievo earlier today and came away with a 2-4 victory. Higuain with his first goal for Napoli and Callejon also on the score sheet. Hamsik with the other two, Higuain with an assist. Two wins in two for Benitez after Napoli comfortably beat Bologna last weekend. Reina suspect for both goals for me, certainly the first and probably shouldn't be getting beaten on the second, had a bit of a stinker today.

Elsewhere Juve are currently beating Lazio 2-1, half time. Two lovely goals from Vidal, two cracking passes involved. Klose responded instantly to the second from Vidal, Buffon maybe should of done better and Chiellini should of been quicker to react to the parried shot from him, Klose doing what he does best though, getting there first and smashing it in. Great game. Marcotti thinks if Pogba improves anymore he'll be terrifying, just continues to get better and better.


Napoli currently top of the table and Juventus will join them on six points if they pick up the win tonight. Great scenes last week as Rossi picked up a goal for Fiorentina, hopefully can keep his fitness this season.

Great précis, Serie A is going to be very exciting this season and I think Juve and Napoli will both be a threat in the Champions League.

Napoli have a really good side and Benitez has a habit of doing well in Europe, think they'll be stronger than people think and Higuian could come back to haunt Arsenal after they missed out on him.

More goals flying in again today. Goals galore yesterday and that continued today, think we can put to bed that stupid notion that some of the people have in this country that Italian football is slow and defensive!


Kicked off the day with Verona trying to cause yet another upset after their fantastic victory against Milan last week. Not to be though, Ljajic scoring on his debut for Roma and Pjanic with this absolute beauty:


Elsewhere Milan walked out winners against Cagliari with a not so convincing 3-1 win, Balotelli with his first of the season and Robinho also grabbing a goal. Matri made an appearance late on after his move from Juve.

Atlanta got their first win of the season with a home win against Torino, a late goal putting this one to bed.

Bologna and Sampdoria registered their first point of the season with a 2-2 draw, Gabbiadani rescuing a point for the Sampdoria.

Comfortable away win for Inter, 0-3 away at Catania. Barrientos didn't feature, seemingly confirming the deal to leave Catania.

An absolute cracker between Genoa and Fiorentina which ended 2-5, Fiorentina walking out win the win. That man continued on from his goal in week one, Rossi with a brace, though the first was an absolute howler from Perin. Gomez also grabbed himself two, close range finish and a penalty in the final minute of the game. Brilliant game and things are clicking for Fiorentina right now. Keep Rossi fit and he and Gomez can do damage.

Livorno got their first win of the season away to newly promoted Sassuolo, 1-4. No doubt going to be a long and tough season for them.

And finally Udinese also registered their first win of the season, beating Parma 3-1 at home. Cassano grabbed a late goal for Parma but Muriel put the game to bed with a few minutes to go from the penalty spot.

Napoli top the table at the end of week 2. Inter and Roma also on six points with the exact same goal difference. Fiorentina and Juventus in fourth and fifth, both also on six points with +4 goal advantage.

Catania and Genoa are still yet to pick up a single point and sit in 18th and 19th with Sassuolo rock bottom, also having not taking a single point in the opening two games and having only scored one and conceded six.

Early on Hamsik tops leads the pack with four goals, a brace in both games. Rossi in second with a bright start to his season and hopefully he can continue that as well as his fitness. Callejon in third showing the impressive start to the season from Napoli.


Two week international break now but Serie A returns on the 15th with a bang as Juventus travel to Inter. The following week is the Rome derby!

Nice summary there, JMTD. Hope you're excited for Inter v Juve today. I am!

Today in the Bundesliga, Bayern moved to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Hannover, but Dortmund play Hamburg at home at 17:30 so will have an opportunity to move back into 1st.

Leverkusen keep within touching distance of the top 2 with a 3-1 home win over Wolfsburg. New signing Luis Gustavo managed to get himself sent off for the away side. Also, Schalke look to be stabilising after their horrendous start with a 1-0 win away at Mainz. New boy Kevin-Prince Boateng got the goal, and a lovely goal it was! They move up to 8th.

Meanwhile, in France, it's shaping up to be the two-horse race everyone expected. PSG sit top temporarily after a very comfortable 2-0 win away at Bordeaux, while Monaco welcome Lorient to the Stade Louis tomorrow to see if they can reclaim top spot.

Cracking game mate, finished 1-1, Vidal striking back right after Icardi came on and scored with his first touch. Still no appearance for Llorente, worrying signs for him.

Kaka returns to Milan tonight and starts, should be a great moment. About to kickoff.

Leverkusen sound like they're looking quite good heading into our game against them on Tuesday.

A tense 1-1 draw in the Derby d'Italia then. Both sides seemed to be looking to counter attack as quickly as possible whenever they got the ball but the game remained goalless until the 73rd minute when Juve found themselves short at the back and prodigal striker Icardi finished his first chance well. 2 minutes later, Vidal got his 3rd of the season to equalise after some great wing-play from Asamoah. Vidal really is a complete midfielder now and is a joy to watch alongside Pogba and Pirlo!

Hopefully now Milan can get a win away at Torino to close the gap. No El Shaaraway so it's up to Robinho to partner Balotelli up top. Great to see Kaka back in the Rossoneri kit too!

Sevilla just equalised against Barcelona in the 90th minute, 2-2.

Edit: 3-2 now to Barcelona, incredible finish to the game.

3-2 Barca. A last gasp winner from Sanchez after Messi tore through the defence. They can count themselves lucky. Sevilla had a perfectly valid goal disallowed from a corner. They've got obvious problems at centre back which they decided not to address during the summer and it could really hurt them this season.

Bale starts for Madrid.

great winner by Barca!

Messi you beauty.. Great run to create 3rd goal.

Neymar needs to stop being so frightened to be more direct and losing the ball. He looks to pass the ball a bit too often @ the moment.


They did try though when they went for Agger. Barca could find a CB that can head the ball all day long but thats not enough and I wish pundits would mention this when they moan about Barca not signing a CB.

They do need a CB but a CB that can adapt to the Barca way of playing.

There isnt too many of them who are available right now.

Brilliant scenes in Turin, Cerci scores to put Torino 2-0 up against Milan. Looking like two defeats for Milan in their opening three games unless they can pull something out of the bag in the final fifteen minutes. Super save just now from Padelli to deny Balotelli too, everything going their way right now.

Good to see Kaka back. Looked happy and motivated but didn't really manage to stamp his mark on the game.

Milan were looking impressive towards the end of last season. I thought Allegri had found a way of playing that would see them thrive this season, but without El Shaaraway they look toothless upfront and there are clear problems at the back. Selling KPB was a strange decision but understandable with Kaka coming in. Hopefully Kaka can find some form and quickly!

Higuain has just put Napoli 1-0 up against Atalanta and the away side are down to 10. Looks like their 100% record will continue for another week.

Villarreal 1-0 up against Madrid too. Time for Bale to shine?

Edit: Crazy scenes in Turin as neither side can agree on whether Milan have scored or not! Sort it out ref! 2-1 I think!

2nd edit: Penalty to Milan! Excellent control by Poli at first and then he knocks it past the defender who brings him down. Clear foul. After a couple of minutes of timewasting from Torino, Balotelli sticks it away no trouble. 2-2.

Bale equalises for Madrid. 1-1.

I'm intrigued to see how Rudi Garcia does at Roma. I wasn't familiar with him but you can't knock two wins out of two. Plus Totti's hint at this being his last season has been replaced by a two year deal, magica!

How's Gervinho doing? He's one of the worst players I've seen at Arsenal but I know he used to play for Garcia at Lille.

Wow!

Crazy goal for Milan that brings it to 2-1 in the final minutes and then Poli goes down in the 93rd minute for a penalty. Balotelli does what he always does and scores it.

2-2 and heartbreak for Torino.

Bale scores for us on his debut! Nice cut back from Carvajal.

A bit against the run of play, hopefully we"ll improve in the 2nd half.

I saw him in one of the games so far, and he looked like the Gervinho you sadly remember. Capable of the flash of brilliance but then the rest of the time you're genuinely questioning how he's an international footballer.

Yeah sounds familiar, lord knows what Totti makes of him?