Barça lead victory parade

FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Sociedad de Fútbol

Barcelona recorded their biggest win since February 2004, defeating Real Sociedad by an emphatic 5-0 scoreline with two goals from Ronaldinho on Sunday. The victory came on the back of a 2-0 win against Málaga CF on Wednesday and brought up the Catalan side's fifth consecutive triumph to place them second in the table.

The win came despite Frank Rijkaard being without injured duo Deco (groin) and Juliano Belletti (knee). Rafael Márquez was also granted leave on personal grounds but there was better news for the Barcelona coach in the shape of Gabri García being given the all-clear to return to the fold after his ankle injury.

Mark van Bommel fired in the opener on 18 minutes then set up Ronaldinho to drive in the second ten minutes before half-time. The Brazilian added a third from a free-kick on the hour, before the visitors were reduced to ten men when Gari Uranga was sent off midway through the second half. Carles Puyol and Henrik Larsson rounded off the victory with headers on 74 and 85 minutes respectively.

"My players offered a great image of Barcelona tonight," Rijkaard said. "We played well and the result is pleasing but we will not fall into the trap of believing that we are the same side as last season. Overall this was a comprehensive win - [striker Samuel] Eto'o was unlucky but in time the goals will come for him."

Udinese Calcio 0-0 US Città di Palermo

Udinese drew at home against UEFA Cup contenders Palermo on Sunday. It was the second draw in four days after Vidigal's late goal had saved a point for Serse Cosmi's team at Ascoli Calcio 1898 on Wednesday.

Against Palermo, Cosmi adopted a rotation system, resting full-backs Damiano Zenoni and Vincent Candela. The Udinese coach fielded Marco Motta on the right and Stefano Mauri on the left. Striker Vincenzo Iaquinta started from the bench and took the field seven minutes into the second half. Christian Obodo returned to the starting lineup after missing the last two games due to suspension. Defender Cesare Natali and forward Paulo Barreto are still out with ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

Neither side created many chances, although Udinese had the better of the second half and went close through Vidigal and Iaquinta. A minute from time goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis ensured the draw with a superb save from Paul Codrea's free-kick.

Udinese defender Nestor Sensini said: "We are not in a very good period. We are struggling to create opportunities to score but I think it's only because we are playing twice every week and we are not in perfect physical condition. Palermo, however, are a very good side."

Werder Bremen 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Bremen achieved a resounding win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, having been taken to a penalty shoot-out by VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday, which they won to progress to the German Cup third round. Bremen appeared to be suffering the after-effects of that cup win after falling behind to a 19th-minute Ioannis Amanatidis goal. However, Bremen rallied courtesy of strikes from Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski, who scored twice, and Miroslav Klose to stay second and two points behind Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München.

Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf went into the match with a long list of absentees. Frank Fahrenhorst was suspended following his dismissal against Hannover 96 last week, Petri Pasanen was still not match fit, while Jelle Van Damme and Daniel Jensen were both sidelined with groin injuries. Ümit Davala (hip) and Tim Wiese (cruciate ligament) remain long-term problems, though Johan Micoud and Christian Schulz shook off minor knocks to return, after missing the cup win.

"We had to chase the game after falling behind but my players kept their cool and stuck to our game plan," said Schaaf. "Therefore I am extremely happy with our performance and with the result."

Panathinaikos FC 1-0 PAOK FC

A solitary goal by Evagelos Mantzios gave Panathinaikos a hard-fought victory against PAOK at Athens' Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Alberto Malesani's side are now fourth in the Alpha Ethniki with 14 points from eight matches, five points behind leaders Xanthi FC. On 14 minutes, Ezequiel González played a clever through-ball for Mantzios, whose left-footed shot sealed all three points. Panathinaikos then sat back on their lead, playing defensively and never seeing their advantage seriously threatened.

Malesani was without the injured Ioannis Goumas, while substitute goalkeeper Pierre Owono Ebede was sidelined with a groin injury. Igor Bišćan and Sotirios Leontiou were rested. Goalscorer Mantzios suffered ankle trouble and, not wanting to risk a recurrence of his recent injury, Malesani replaced him with Emmanuel Olisadebe at half-time.

"I believe we deserved to win," said Malesani. "However, this victory was hard to achieve because PAOK are an excellent side. We have discovered our best tactics and style of play, we've got a specific role for each player, are in good physical condition and relations between the players are excellent. What we lack is continuity in our performances, but we can improve on that."