European review

The top of the Primera Division table already has a familiar look about it, Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers were both held in the SPL, while Genoa are the surprise early leaders in Serie A.

The rest of Europe's major leagues remain tight affairs at their respective summits with Bordeaux, Hamburg and PSV Eindhoven only top by virtue of goal difference.

Primera Division

Real Madrid maintained their 100 per cent start to the new season with a convincing 3-0 victory at bottom-of-the-table Espanyol. Cristiano Ronaldo netted the third of his side's goals to leave the big spenders second behind Barcelona.

Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi saw Barca overcome Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday. And then on SundayValencia and Atletico Bilbao both also made it two wins in as many games as they saw off Real Valladolid and Xerez respectively.

SPL

League leaders Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw in their match at Motherwell as Walter Smith saw his side reduced to 10 men when Madjid Bougherra was dismissed late on for a foul, and his subsequent protest, in the penalty area. Jim O'Brien stepped up but was denied by Allan McGregor to ensure Bougherra's blushes were spared.

Celtic were also unable to record a fourth straight win of the season as Dundee United's David Goodwillie opened the scoring, with the Hoops only able to respond through Scott McDonald. On Sunday, Hamilton got their season up and running with victory over Hibernian.

Serie A

Juventus impressed as they managed a 2-0 triumph at Lazio and now boast nine points from their three opening games. But the Old Lady are currently beaten to top spot by Genoa, who won 4-1 in a fiery tussle versus Napoli.

Sampdoria continue to shine while Inter Milan were triumphant courtesy of goals from Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o. Elsewhere, AC Milan were held to a goalless draw while things are looking bleak for Catania.

Ligue 1

Bordeaux remain top of the tree in France following a 1-0 success against Grenoble. But Lyon are hot on their heels as they made it four wins on the spin with victory over Lorient.

Montpellier, Marseille and Rennes all also remain unbeaten. Grenoble continue to flounder at the foot of the standings but Auxerre recorded their first win at the fifth time of asking.

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich appear to be over their early season stutter as they recorded a 5-1 mauling of Borussia Dortmund. Thomas Muller was among the goals with a brace. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen were forced to battle hard for a 3-2 win at Wolfsburg.

Hamburg, though, are leading the way after disposing ofStuttgart 3-1. Cologne are still without a first three-point haul of the campaign but FC Nurnberg did earn their first win as they defeated Borussia Monchengladbach.

Eredivisie

Ajax recorded an emphatic triumph as they hit NAC Breda for six, with Dario Cvitanich among the goals with a hat-trick. Table-toppers PSV Eindhoven were also comfortable winners as they downed Roda JC 3-0.

Feyenoord kept up their fine form but RKC remain winless at the bottom of the pile. Steve McClaren, meanwhile, saw his FC Twente charges net a dramatic late winner in their home fixture versus FC Utrecht.

Best of the rest

Braga and Benfica were both successful in Portgual, while IFK Gothenburg continue to lead the way in Sweden. Elsewhere, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are level on points in Turkey's Super Lig.

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Faubert learnt Real lessons

Julien Faubert insists he has no regrets about accepting a loan move to Real Madrid last season.

The Frenchman, who is on the books of West Ham, joined the Spanish giants in January in a deal which ran until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

He was restricted to just a handful of appearances for Los Blancos, with competition for places fierce at Santiago Bernabeu.

He has since returned to England with the Hammers, despite reported interest from AC Milan over the summer.

Faubert is now determined to force his way into Gianfranco Zola's plans on a regular basis, as a full-back, and insists he has not given up hope of earning a recall to the France national side ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Improved

"I know some people laughed at me. No-one believed I could be a success there. But how can you turn down Real?" Faubert told L'Equipe .

"It was a good experience. I learnt a lot. I didn't play many games, but I improved on a technical level as I was playing with great players.

Faubert added: "Milan? There was talk but no offer. But the fact that clubs like that are interested, while not playing a lot, is comforting.

"At the start of this season I have asked coach Zola to play me at right-back. It was important to settle in a precise position because my versatility has hampered me so far.

"I now want to have a great season, complete a full season, and get back in the French team."

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Zaragoza get Lafita backing

Deportivo La Coruna have been ordered to allow the transfer of Angel Lafita to Real Zaragoza.

Zaragoza exercised a buy-back option just before the transfer deadline at the end of last month but the move was held up by a dispute over finances.

Deportivo had argued the deal should not go through because their Primera Liga rivals did not pay their stated fee of 3.5million euros (Ј3.1million) plus sales tax.

Zaragoza insist the Ј2million euros they deposited with the Spanish football league (LFP) was the amount agreed in the contract between the two clubs.

The LFP has now ruled in Zaragoza's favour but Depor are still not happy and are expected to appeal the decision.

"The league have not answered the real question, which is the financial one," Depor president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro told his club's official website .

"It can be taken for granted he is a Zaragoza player, but what is being disputed is the cost of the move."

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Raul backs Real rotation

Raul believes a rotation policy is vital to Real Madrid's chances of regaining the Champions League crown this season.

The Spanish giants kick off their European campaign away to FC Zurich on Tuesday night.

That would be the first of 13 games in Europe if Real go all the way this season, and they have the added incentive of the Champions League final being held at their own Santiago Bernabeu home on 22nd May.

There are high expectations of Real this season given their extraordinary summer spending spree.

And captain Raul has told his team-mates they will all have to play their part as Los Merengues target their first Champions League title since 2002.

"Everyone in this squad must feel significant and that is the case," he told the club's official website.

Demands

"We know how much is demanded of us with matches every three or four days, and we all want to win.

"It is good that there is competition, that minutes are divided and that we reach the final few months well rested. It is a wise decision."

Coach Manuel Pellegrini is set to make changes to the side that beat Espanyol on Saturday, and Raul is sure to see less playing time this season.

But the 32-year-old striker is confident he still has plenty to offer and can help Real be successful again this season.

Proud

"I feel valued and respected and I am very proud of my career," he said.

"I am happy to be able to play at this level after 15 years and with the team-mates I have.

"I am satisfied with the enthusiasm there is to win titles and I hope Real Madrid accomplishes our objectives this year."

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Messi set for new deal

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is set to sign an improved contract with the European champions.

The 22-year-old Argentina international already has a deal with the Catalan side that runs until 2014, but the new contract will make him the best paid player at the club.

Messi scored the second goal in Barca's UEFA Champions League final victory against Manchester United in May, and is the favourite to win this year's Fifa World Player of the Year award.

Club president Joan Laporta said: "He's the best player in the world and one of the best in soccer history.

"He's content (here at Barcelona) and that's why he's playing the way he is."

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Primera Liga round-up

Barcelona kept up their strong start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Getafe, while Real Madrid beat Espanyol 3-0.

Barcelona beat Sporting Gijon 3-0 in their opening Primera Liga match a fortnight ago but they were made to work harder by Getafe.

They could not break the deadlock in the first half and the stalemate continued until the 66th minute, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic stroked the ball home from close range.

Lionel Messi then headed home an Ibrahimovic cross on 80 minutes after a swift counter-attack to seal the win.

Real Madrid also claimed their second straight win with an emphatic success on the road against Espanyol.

Esteban Granero latched onto a pass from Kaka in the 39th minute to put Real ahead, while Guti made it 2-0 with a neat finish on 78 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo had started the match on the substitutes' bench but he came on to score a third in the 90th minute.

Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander picked up their first points of the new campaign after playing out a 1-1 draw at Vicente Calderon.

Jurado fired Atletico ahead in the 43rd minute before Oscar Serrado equalised for Racing on the stroke of half-time.

Sevilla got their campaign up and running courtesy of a 4-1 victory against Real Zaragoza in the late game of the day.

Abdoulay Konko set Sevilla on their way to three points with the opening goal after just eight minutes, although Javier Arizmendi soon drew Zaragoza level (19).

Luis Fabiano restored Sevilla's advantage on the stroke of half-time and Zaragoza never threatened a comeback in the second period.

Diego Perotti gave Sevilla a two-goal cushion in the 57th minute and Fabiano struck again with three minutes remaining.

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Silva leaves exit door open

David Silva has admitted he was the subject of a large bid from an English club in the summer.

Reports have resurfaced recently suggesting Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to renew his interest in the Valencia winger in January.

The Spanish international was expected to depart the Mestalla in the summer, along with team-mate David Villa, as Valencia looked to ease their precarious financial position.

However both players remained with the La Liga side despite the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid also being said to be interested.

Ferguson was also linked with an offer for Silva as late as last week but again a deal failed to materialise.

The 23-year-old has reiterated his happiness at Valencia but did leave the door open to a future move, further fuelling rumours of a January move to Old Trafford.

"It is true that there was a bid from a big English club," he told The News of the World .

"If it was only a question of money then I would have accepted the move.

"Things can change in the future but right now I am happy in Valencia and I did not have sufficient motive to leave."

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