We’re heading into the final international break of 2025, with World Cup qualification looming, but Europe’s leagues served up plenty beforehand. The weekend’s big game saw Manchester City deepen Liverpool’s malaise with a comprehensive 3-0 win at the Etihad — Pep Guardiola’s 1000th match as manager — in which Jérémy Doku shone. In Spain, Robert Lewandowski returned from injury to score a hat trick as Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2, trimming Real Madrid’s lead after they were held. Bayern’s 16-game winning run ended with a 2-2 draw at Union Berlin, and Arsenal dropped points to newly promoted Sunderland as their title lead narrowed.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool — Doku the difference
Pep’s milestone afternoon was dominated not by Erling Haaland alone but by Jérémy Doku, who produced the kind of one-on-one mastery his profile promised. Doku’s directness creates structural problems for opponents: take him out and space opens elsewhere; double up and other City attackers are free. If he maintains consistency, City become less Haaland-dependent and more dynamic overall.
Liverpool’s problems were tactical and personnel-related. Arne Slot reverted to a safety-first lineup that lacked balance: Florian Wirtz wide instead of Cody Gakpo left defensive output wanting, and Konaté looked tired from constant starts. Incidents (a disallowed Van Dijk goal, marginal misses) don’t explain the whole picture — performance and cohesion do. Slot must decide whether to prioritise immediate results over integrating newcomers like Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. With Arsenal currently eight points clear, Liverpool need to fix consistency fast if they’re serious about silverware.
Barcelona 4-2 Celta Vigo — Lewandowski returns, Barca still fragile
Lewandowski’s hat trick (a penalty, a smart finish and a header) underlined the value of a proven, reliable striker who offers a focal point and leadership in Pedri’s absence. Barca could have scored more against a Celta side that had been on a run, and Lewandowski’s presence steadied their attack.
Yet old defensive flaws surfaced: high line mistakes and poor execution gifted Celta space for both goals. Frenkie de Jong’s second-yellow red in injury time gives Barca a suspension problem, and although they’re now three points behind Real, their competitiveness often feels despite their defence rather than because of it.
Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland — drop points, not panic
Arsenal’s run ended at Sunderland, where two individual defensive errors (Declan Rice misjudging a flight and Gabriel being outmuscled) led to the goals. Outside those moments, Arsenal still looked solid: David Raya had nothing to do, expected goals conceded remained low, and Bukayo Saka is growing into form after injury. Leandro Trossard’s terrific strike justified his contract extension. Mikel Arteta expressed frustration — fair — but this feels like an outlier in an otherwise strong season.
Napoli 0-2 Bologna — Conte in public doubt
Napoli were dreadful in a 2-0 loss to Bologna, producing a dire second half with almost no threat. Antonio Conte’s blunt self-criticism — “we’re not a team” and “I’m doing a bad job” — is stark. Conte taking responsibility is notable, but platitudes won’t fix cohesion or tactical issues. Napoli’s injuries have been an alibi for a while, but their metrics have fallen even when supposed solutions were in place; Conte needs tangible improvements fast.
Quick hits
10) Inter leapfrog to top of Serie A under Cristian Chivu after beating Lazio. Chivu’s Inter are pragmatic and effective even if less pretty; when they click, they control games.
9) PSG edged Lyon with an injury-time winner from João Neves. Despite 72% possession, PSG created few real chances; their squad absences and lack of incisive wide players are telling. Luis Enrique faces a Ligue 1 title race if this continues.
8) Chelsea laboured in a poor first half against Wolves before pulling away to win 3-0. Estêvão’s introduction helped, but inconsistency and reliance on a few individuals (Cole Palmer when fit) remain concerns under Enzo Maresca.
7) Antoine Griezmann again rescued Atlético from Levante, scoring as a substitute to secure a 3-1 win. Atleti have won four on the bounce since their Arsenal humiliation, but several results have been narrow escapes, and Simeone must manage concentration lapses.
6) Real Madrid were held 0-0 at Rayo Vallecano. Xabi Alonso dismissed fatigue as an excuse, but the side looked flat; Mbappé was quiet, and Tchouaméni’s absence was felt. Vinícius and Jude Bellingham offered positives, but the international break is timely.
5) Juventus were uninspiring in a 0-0 Turin derby under Luciano Spalletti. He’s likely to tinker as part of his rebuild; Juve need creativity and coherence, and Spalletti’s trial-and-error approach might yet find a formula.
4) Borussia Dortmund conceded late to draw in Hamburg, failing to narrow the gap on Bayern. Fatigue from midweek fixtures and questionable rotation choices left them exposed; they remain vulnerable to soft, late goals.
3) AC Milan surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Parma. Max Allegri called the performance naive. Milan lacked second-half urgency, showing fear of conceding rather than hunting a third goal. Moments of individual quality (Leão) still provide hope.
2) Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United was chaotic and low on clear-cut chances. United let a lead slip and only salvaged a point late. Spurs’ creativity is inconsistent, substitutes delivered moments, and fans’ impatience with Xavi Simons was audible.
1) Bayern’s 16-game streak ended with a 2-2 draw at Union Berlin. The defending and mistakes looked uncharacteristic; Manuel Neuer’s error for the opener and other lapses made it a bad day. With key players due back from injury and a winter break approaching, Bayern should soon regain control of the Bundesliga.
Bottom line
Big-picture narratives are unchanged: Arsenal lead but must stay focused; City look increasingly dangerous with new dimensions courtesy of Doku; Liverpool need clarity and consistency; Barca are dangerous with Lewandowski but remain fragile at the back; Napoli are underperforming; and several title races remain intriguingly open as the break approaches.
