Lionel Messi scored four times as Barcelona routed Valencia to keep alive their slim chances of overhauling Real Madrid at the top of Spain's La Liga.
In football, like investing, the phrase "This time it's different" can be very dangerous, especially when it comes to managers. Bayern Munich, for example, convinced itself that Jürgen Klinsmann, the former German boss, would no longer need a highly capable No. 2 to run the show for him in 2008. His 10-month reign was a disaster.
Manchester City regained fourth place in English Premier League on Sunday with a resounding 4-1 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
VfB Stuttgart's early-season woes are nothing new. For the last few years the Swabians have started the season lethargically, only to look like a different, stronger team in the second half of the season.
Wolfsburg threw away a three-goal lead and three points against Mainz, Saturday, as Steve McClaren's team went down 4-3 in a pulsating match at the Volkswagen Arena.
German World Cup star Sami Khedira joined up with his new Real Madrid teammates on Sunday after completing his move from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
Real Madrid are poised to sign German World Cup star Sami Khedira from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
Stuttgart have appointed Swiss Christian Gross as their new coach after dismissing Markus Babbel on Sunday.
Werder Bremen crushed Bayern Munich 5-2 on Saturday to win for the first time at the Allianz Arena and ensure that Jurgen Klinsmann's shaky start to his reign as coach of the defending champions continued.
Brazilian midfielder Tinga helped book Borussia Dortmund's place in the German Cup final for the first time in 19 years with a 3-0 win over 10-man Carl Zeiss Jena on Tuesday.
VfB Stuttgart coach Armin Veh was fuming after his side crashed out of the German Cup 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate against second-division strugglers Carl Zeiss Jena.
Werder Bremen remained three points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich when they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against struggling Bochum.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has been banned from the touchline for two UEFA club competition matches after his confrontation with referee Stefano Farina in the 2-2 Champions League draw at Lyon last month.
Bayern Munich registered a first win in four matches to remain one point clear at the top of the German league, beating VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 at home on Saturday.
Goals from Juninho and Sidney Govou gave Lyon a 2-0 home win over Valenciennes and enabled the six-time champions to stay four points ahead at the top of the French league.
Werder Bremen battled to a 1-1 draw at Schalke 04 on Saturday to maintain second place in the Bundesliga but are still trailing leaders Bayern Munich by five points.
Bayern Munich lost its perfect start in the German league when it yielded a goal in the 87th minute in a 1-1 tie with Hamburger SV.
Werder Bremen's Tim Borowski has become the latest Germany midfielder set to miss the friendly against England later this month after he picked up a knee injury, it was announced on Sunday.
Schalke 04's teenage substitute Ivan Rakitic scored seven minutes after coming on to force a 2-2 draw against defending German champions VfB Stuttgart on Friday.
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