As September will soon make its way for October and fall enters the picture, the season hits its second gear around Europe’s top football leagues, with four teams remaining undefeated: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern Munich, German Bundesliga
Business as usual for the defending champions of the last six seasons, with their most recent victory coming away from home, in the once difficult VELTINS-Arena. Bayern dispatched of Schalke 2-0 to make it 4-for-4 since the beginning of the season, with goals from James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski, the latter putting his World Cup disappointment behind him in favor of Bundesliga goals, we he never had a problem of bagging.
This coming Friday, after a midweek home match vs Augsburg, Bayern might face their most difficult test of the season, travelling to Berlin to face Hertha, currently second in the Bundesliga with 10 points. Picking up the six points in the next five days might mean we can already start printing their name next to another title.
Juventus FC, Italian Serie A
Things might not be clicking on all cylinders for the 7-time straight Serie A champions, but Cristiano Ronaldo is starting to get into his scoring rhythm, picking up another goal as Juve beat Frosinone 2-0. While Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are struggling to get their season going, others have been taking over, at least in terms of influence. Federico Bernardeschi is beginning to live up to his promise with another late and crucial goal, Joao Cancelo has been terrific when he gets to play, and the same can be said for Alex Sandro, who is coming off a down season.
Five-for-five, already three points ahead of Napoli. In six days, in Turin, the two teams meet.
Liverpool FC, English Premier League
As Chelsea dropped points surprisingly to West Ham, Liverpool remain the only perfect team in England. Their most recent win, 3-0 against Southampton, showed their impressive depth this season, while Mohamed Salah got back to his scoring ways. Six for six, two points ahead of Manchester City and Chelsea (both still undefeated), with a visit to Stamford Bridge coming up next.
PSG, French Ligue 1
PSG bounced back from this loss at Anfield with a 3-1 win against Rennes, led by Angel di Maria, Thomas Meunier and Choupo-Moting. Just like Bayern Munich, calling this league, or at least the championship race competitive would be a stretch. Saint-Germain already have a 5-point lead over Lille in second place, with Lyon, Marseille and Monaco unlikely to challenge them down the road.