Duo draw on derby delight

FC Steaua Bucuresti and Besiktas JK both recorded stunning derby wins at the weekend to maintain their fine domestic form but Group B rivals Parma FC continue to struggle in Serie A.

Steaua
Steaua climbed to the top of the Romanian First Division with an emphatic 5-1 victory against the side that began the weekend at the summit, FC National Bucuresti. Goalkeeper Vasili Khomutovski and defender Tiberiu Curt remained sidelined, but captain Mirel Radoi returned after a two-month absence with a knee injury. The centre-back had the chance to mark his return in style but missed a penalty just before the half-hour. Adrian Neaga was more successful from the spot six minutes later, though, and he and substitute Andrei Cristea went on to score twice apiece with Daniel Oprita adding the other goal as Steaua recorded their third successive victory. Walter Zenga's side face visitors Parma on Thursday hoping to follow on from their 2-0 win against R. Standard de Liège on Matchday 1.

Besiktas
Besiktas also registered a third consecutive victory as they continued their recent resurgence with a 2-1 home win against arch-rivals Fenerbahçe SK to climb into the top half of the Turkish Superleague for the first time this season. Besiktas coach Vicente Del Bosque left out Daniel Pancu and Tümer Metin and opted to use John Carew as a lone striker. The Norwegian forward duly opened the scoring before Mustafa Dogan headed in playmaker Sergen Yalçin's free-kick. Ibrahim Üzülmez was sent off but will still be available as Besiktas open their Group B campaign at home against Athletic Club Bilbao on Thursday. Mustafa will continue to deputise for Brazilian defender Ronaldo Guiaro, who has a broken arm.

Athletic
The Spanish side also recorded a decent result against the side dominating their domestic scene, as a superb Francisco Yeste volley earned Athletic a 1-1 draw against leaders FC Barcelona, though they remain 16th. Carlos Gurpegui, who scored in the 2-0 win at home against Parma on Matchday 1, was later dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. Tiko, Jesús María Lacruz and Óscar Vales continue on the road to recovery, while Santiago Ezquerro has received the all-clear from club medical staff and could feature this week.

Parma
Parma continue to struggle at the foot of Serie A after being held to a 2-2 draw by the only team beneath them, Atalanta BC. Alberto Gilardino twice gave the home side the lead before they were pegged back, and the beleaguered side received a further blow when defender Mauro Ferronetti suffered a muscle injury. He joins Massimo Maccarone and Giuseppe Cardone on the sidlines while it remains unclear whether Parma coach Silvio Baldini will persist with the squad rotation policy he demonstrated in the defeat by Athletic.

Standard
Standard will sit out this week's round of games and might be glad of the rest after a heavy loss at home against Club Brugge KV on Friday. Although Sérgio Conceição returned to the starting lineup and Serhiy Kovalenko made his debut as substitute, Standard could not reply to three second-half goals that gave the league leaders a 4-1 win after Mohamed Tchite had earlier equalised. Standard will hope that Wamberto (calf) and Sambegon Bangoura (leg) recover before their next fixture at home against Parma on 25 November.