Juventus feel the heat, Paris suffer loss
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Article summary
Juventus's lead has been cut to a point after a weekend when both FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF prospered and Paris Saint-Germain fell to a first Ligue 1 loss.
Article top media content
Article body
The teams waiting to learn their fate in Monday's draw for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 were in domestic action this weekend, with Juventus under pressure in Italy and both Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern München stretching their respective leads, while Paris Saint-Germain slipped to a first domestic reverse this term.
Group winners:
• Club Atlético de Madrid lost their first home Liga fixture in 28 games, losing 1-0 to Villarreal CF.
• FC Barcelona lost ground on Spanish leaders Real Madrid after a 0-0 draw at Getafe CF, Lionel Messi hitting the bar with a second-half free-kick.
• Mehdi Benatia broke the deadlock and Arjen Robben struck twice as Bayern won 4-0 away against local rivals FC Augsburg.
• Chelsea FC maintained a three-point lead – and their 100% home record in the Premier League – with a 2-0 success against Hull City AFC.
• Lowly Borussia Dortmund lie third from bottom following a 1-0 defeat – a ninth in 15 Bundesliga outings – at Hertha BSC Berlin.
• AS Monaco FC got the better of the Ligue 1 pacesetters on Sunday, seeing off Olympique de Marseille 1-0.
• FC Porto find themselves six points behind Portuguese leaders SL Benfica after losing 2-0 at home to their fierce rivals.
• Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Real Madrid in a 4-1 success as the Liga leaders secured their 20th victory a row in all competitions at UD Almería.
Group runners-up:
• Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla grabbed two apiece as Arsenal FC returned to winning ways in the Premier League, easing past Newcastle United FC 4-1.
• FC Basel 1893 did not play, with the winter break under way in Switzerland.
• Serie A frontrunners Juventus now lead AS Roma by a single point after a 1-1 draw with UC Sampdoria which featured Patrice Evra's first goal for the club.
• Bayer 04 Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw by VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach but stayed above their opponents in third on goals scored.
• Frank Lampard scored the crucial goal – his 175th Premier League strike – as second-placed Manchester City FC overcame Leicester City FC 1-0.
• Paris slumped to their first domestic loss this season in a surprise 1-0 reverse at EA Guingamp.
• Leroy Sané's maiden FC Schalke 04 goal was scant consolation as the Royal Blues lost 2-1 at home against 1. FC Köln.
• FC Shakhtar Donetsk did not play, with the winter break under way in Ukraine.
