European Leagues Take Shape as Club Football Pauses for International Break

With club play on hold, early-season standings across Spain, Italy, Germany and France show surprising names near the top and struggling giants below.

European club football has paused for the international break, offering an early snapshot of how the season is shaping up across the continent's top leagues. In La Liga, Jose Mourinho is in his second spell as Real Madrid manager, but a 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid left the club six points behind leaders Barcelona. Mourinho showed printed images of incidents he felt went against his side after the match, prompting a response from Atletico reported by the BBC.

Barcelona lead La Liga on 21 points, ahead of Atletico and Real Betis on 16, with Real Madrid on 15. In Serie A, Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma top the table on 13 points after a 2-2 home draw with Inter, who are level on points. Lazio, managed by Gennaro Gattuso, are also on 13, with Cagliari close behind on 12.

The Bundesliga's story is Borussia Monchengladbach, who sit bottom with zero points and 16 goals conceded in four matches. Eugen Polanski has already been dismissed, and Sky Germany reports that Alexander Blessin is the leading candidate to replace him. Borussia Dortmund top the table on 12 points, two clear of Bayern Munich and Freiburg.

In France, Liam Rosenior's Paris FC have climbed to third on 11 points after wins over Nice and Strasbourg, the club he previously managed. Monaco lead Ligue 1 on 13 points, while Paris Saint-Germain stumbled early with a loss to a Monaco side featuring Eric Dier. Lyon sit second on 11 points.