What the weekend told us.

A very intriguing weekend leading into a midweek full of matchups from the Champions League and Europa League leads us to some things to the following observations.



England: Liverpool's Premier League title challenge is officially over.

Five losses from their first 11 matches and only 18 points to show for this season, you can look at those statistics and realize that it's done and dusted for Rafa Benitez' men (not to mention it could be done and dusted for Benitez, he will be evaluated over the next three games). Taking Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun out of the Fulham match on Saturday when he did, suggests he could care less about the Premier League and he is desparate to salvage their currently failing European campaign. With the laundry list of injured players Benitez has, he needs two of his best attacking players fit for the trip to Lyon.

Back to the domestic challenge. There will be at least one more loss before the season ends with a trip to Old Trafford, two matches with Arsenal, and two with Manchester City still on the slate. You have to go back to 2001 when Manchester United lifted the title on six defeats. A couple teams have since done it on 5, but with Chelsea and Manchester United now beating everyone they should beat, it's not looking good.



Italy: That's the Napoli I expected to see.

So really? All it took was a managerial change? Walter Mazzarri took over from Roberto Donadoni and in his first four Serie A matches: 3 wins and one draw. And it's an impressive list: after beating Bologna, they beat Fiorentina, drew Milan, and beat Juventus (all three of these tams are playing in the Champions League by the way). The four points from the last two games were earned in come from behind mode. All four of these matches have a style to them, with 8 goals scored. The scintallating run of form from the Neapolitans have vaulted them to 6th, and are potentially as good as anyone on their day.

This is a loaded team that will continue to give the big boys of Serie A problems. They have a playmaker in Marek Hamsik (who has drawn the attention of Manchester United and Chelsea), Argentinian Ezequiel Lavezzi (who we'd all know a little better if a certain Mr. Messi wasn't around), and added Fabio Quagliarella from Udinese. The have the future of the Italian midfield with Luca Cigarini (would have loved to see him in Milan) as well.

Germany: Bundesliga will go down to the wire, again.
They're doing that thing again where a lot of goals are being scored (average of 2.7 goals per game) and they're also doing that thing where 5 points separates 8th from 1st. And they are not seeming to beat up on each other, they are sharing points. Mainz is sitting 8th and they played Wolfsburg (7th) to a thrilling 3-3 draw. The big match of the weekend, between Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen ended 2-2. Leverkusen currently top the league, so when Werder Bremen and Hamburg had their chance to overtake them, they didn't. Werder Bremen played a 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Nuremburg. Hamburg hosted, and graciously contributed to, Borussia Monchengladbach's survival cause in a 3-2 loss. Bayern couldn't manage a goal at struggling Stuttgart, leaving Hoffenheim the only winner in the top 8, beating Freiburg 1-0.

Spain: Don't call this a 2-horse race just yet.
I'm not only going by the evidence of the last minute oopsie by Barcelona against Osasuna on Saturday, but the fact that Sevilla and Valencia are doing all they can to make sure it's not about the El Clasico sides. Sevilla sit 3rd on 19 points and Valencia are 4th on 18, 4 and 5 points respectively. Each of these teams ooze class, not to the effect that Barcelona and Real Madrid do, but they have some quality players.

At Sevilla, they have two talented strikers in Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute. They are supported by a host of talented midfielders like Jesus Navas, Adriano, and Renato. They can also call on experienced players like Aldo Duscher and Didier Zokora. Miguel Jiminez has forged a talented side that will be in it to the end.

At Valencia, many rumors are swirling around whether they will stick together, and looking at the talent on the team it's no wonder. It starts with David Villa, one of the best strikers in the world and could play anywhere he wants. He's stayed loyal to Los Che but that loyalty will again be tested. Another striker you'll learn more about is 6'8" Serbian Nikola Zigic (a Sunderland target in the summer). You also know about David Silva (a Man Utd and Liverpool target), but get to know Juan Manuel Mata, another Spanish winger that will make a name for himself as the season goes on. Carlos Marchena, Ruben Baraja, and David Albelda provide them with the experience. And they have depth in midfield with players like Ever Banega, Manuel Fernandes, Joaquin, and Vicente Rodriguez. Plenty of talent on display at the Mestalla. The team is loaded and if they can keep the defense tight, they'll be able to hang with anyone in Spain.

That's all I got, more later this week. Rankings come out next week after the Chelsea-Manyoo game.