Hertha rise to the challenge

CFR Cluj 1-0 FC Steaua Bucuresti

Dorinel Munteanu returned to haunt his former club on Sunday, as the Cluj team of which he is player-coach inflicted Steaua's second defeat of the Divizia A season. Steaua, who slip five points behind leaders FC Dinamo Bucuresti, were without injured captain Mirel Radoi and fell behind to Cristian Coroian's goal on nine minutes. Steaua dominated after the break but could not prevent themselves falling to a second successive league loss, following last week's home reverse against FC Gloria 1922 Bistrita.

"We had a difficult match in Genoa [against Sampdoria in the UEFA Cup] so I decided to rest players for this game, even though we knew it would probably be as difficult as Thursday's game had been," said coach Oleg Protasov. "I expected Cluj to attack from the start, and we tried to keep them out but made a mistake and conceded a goal. However, I am satisfied with the commitment my players have shown."

FC Sochaux-Montbéliard 1-1 RC Lens

Lens's winning streak came to an end at Ligue 1 strugglers Sochaux, following victories against Toulouse FC and Halmstads. Araujo Ilan put the home team ahead with a tenth-minute goal, as Sochaux enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes. However, a more spirited Lens side took the field for the restart and they levelled through Daniel Cousin just before the hour, to add to his hat-trick on Thursday. However, the forward was involved in a late collision which resulted in his withdrawal with a thigh injury. Lens have no other injury concerns, though Olivier Thomert missed out through suspension.

Coach Francis Gillot said: "It's a shame we need to fall behind before we start to play. I selected four forwards in the first half because I wanted to win this match, but I had to replace a defensive midfielder with Eric Carrière, an attacking player, before we finally scored. With games every three days at the moment it is difficult to motivate the players."

Hertha BSC Berlin 3-0 1. FC Kaiserslautern

Hertha won comfortably on Saturday to go fifth in the Bundesliga. Marcelinho opened the scoring on seven minutes after good work from Nando Rafael. The Berliners dominated but had to wait till after the break for further goals. Marko Pantelić doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half and Rafael sealed victory four minutes later.

Coach Falko Götz went into the match without Christian Müller (broken leg), Yıldıray Baştürk (thigh) and Gilberto (ankle). The last-named midfielder was also fined by the club after returning late from a trip home to Brazil where he was receiving treatment. Josip Šimunić was suspended after collecting his fifth domestic caution of the season last weekend.

Götz said: "We started well and got an early goal but we didn't continue to attack after that. I told the players at the break that we needed a second goal and we succeeded in getting it quickly. That effectively killed the game and we could have scored more than just the one after that."

US Città di Palermo 0-2 UC Sampdoria

Sampdoria moved up to ninth in Serie A, just three points behind fourth-placed FC Internazionale Milano, after Andrea Gasbarroni and Emiliano Bonazzoli struck to give Walter Novellino's side victory at Palermo. Gasbarroni broke the deadlock after 32 minutes when he converted Cristian Zenoni's cross, before goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli produced two fine saves to preserve the lead. Bonazzoli scored his eighth goal in eight games, a 73rd-minute header from Angelo Palombo's centre, to secure the points.

"Palermo are a very good team, so we did well," said Novellino. "We controlled the majority of possession and deserved to win. The performances of Lamberto Zauli and Andrea Gasbarroni proved decisive. We are finally getting the results our recent displays have deserved." Aimo Diana was suspended, while forward Fabio Bazzani and defender Marco Zamboni remain long-term casualties. Veteran Giulio Falcone has overcome a serious knee injury but was overlooked as he attempts to regain match fitness.

Halmstads BK

With the 2005 Allsvenskan season complete, Halmstad have flown to Turkey for a week to prepare for their next UEFA Cup Group C game against UC Sampdoria, following their 5-0 reverse at Lens on Matchday 2.

"We'll work hard in training and hopefully we'll be able to get a friendly under our belts," said coach Jan Andersson. "Everyone is fit and raring to go. Even though we lost [to Lens] we have to realise that we learn a lot from playing teams like this. Hopefully we have taken something positive from the game and will carry it into our next fixtures."