Sleeping soccer giants receive rude wake-up calls in Europe
Agence France-Presse, Paris
Real Madrid, three times European champion in the last five years, suffered another slump in their domestic form at the weekend as it lost more ground on the Spanish league pace- setters.
In Germany, Bayern Munich too was losing the plot, its defeat at Werder Bremen came just five days after the 2001 European champion made a humiliating early exit from the Champions League.
However, at least they are still top of their league.
By contrast, Real Madrid struggled to a 0-0 draw with Deportivo La Coruna, a result which left it seven points behind leader Real Sociedad.
Despite the result, which came after a midweek defeat in the Champions League to AS Roma, Real skipper Fernando Hierro dismissed talk of a crisis.
"Nobody doubts we are a great squad. Just a month ago, we were the dream team," said the veteran defender.
"We are the same team. Now it is time to prove our character and maturity. We are used to talk of crisis. But we are calm because we have proved that we can get out of this sort of situation on many occasions. There is no reason to panic," he told the club's website.
Turkish international Nihat Kahveci scored the only goal of the game as Real Sociedad beat Villareal 1-0 to maintain its three point lead at the top while defending champion Valencia moved into sole position of second spot with a battling 1-0 away win at Espanyol.
Bayern Munich's hopes of rebounding from its exit from the Champions League were dashed as Werder Bremen defeated them 2-0.
Goals by Markus Daun and Mladen Krstajic left Bayern still on top of the Bundesliga but just two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who had been held 1-1 at home by SV Hamburg.
In Italy, there were no such problems as Inter Milan extended its unbeaten league record by securing a 2-0 victory at Como to stay top while AC Milan remains second after winning by the same scoreline at home to Reggina. Juventus kept hold of third place with a 1-0 triumph at Modena.
Italian international striker Christian Vieri settled Inter's nerves at Como in the 58th minute while Uruguayan Alvaro Recoba's killed off the home side with a brilliant solo effort seven minutes later.
Second-placed Milan defeated Reggina which had defender Fernando Vargas sent off for bringing down Manuel Rui Costa.
World Cup winner Rivaldo took the penalty but saw his spot- kick saved by Luca Castellazi.
Fortunately for the Brazilian, the alert Filippo Inzaghi was on hand to rattle in the rebound.
Rivaldo atoned for his early error however by netting Milan's second in the 63rd minute.
At Modena, a second-half header from substitute Alessandro del Piero was enough to give reigning champion Juventus all three points.
In France, glamor club Paris Saint Germain's hopes of going top were shattered after a 3-1 defeat at lowly Sedan.
Stephane Noro opened the scoring after just nine minutes for Sedan before Frederic Dohu leveled.
However, Ludovic Asuar struck twice after the interval to secure the three points.
Suffering just their second league defeat of the season, the Parisians stay second, a point behind leader Auxerre but just ahead of Nice and Marseille.
Lens came from behind to defeat league leader Auxerre 3-1, Marseille had a 2-0 win at home over Montpellier while Nice and Lyon fought out a 2-2 draw.