European roundup: Ronaldo brace help Real win, while Pepe Reina's heroics help Napoli win at the San Siro
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) shoots past Pedro Mosquera of Getafe during the La Liga match at the Bernabeu on September 22, 2013 in Madrid, Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice and set up one goal for Real Madrid in a 4-1 win over Getafe on Sunday in the La Liga, as summer signing Gareth Bale failed to make his home debut after enduring an injuring just before the match.
Bale was rested for this game after club’s medical staff examined his left thigh during warm-up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The other goal scorers for Madrid were Pepe and Isco, who continues his superb form as he netted his fifth goal of the season for his new club. Meanwhile, Angel Lafita scored the solitary goal for Getafe in 4th minute.
On the other hand, Valencia registered a 3-1 victory over Sevilla at Mestalla. The hosts, in the process, managed to break a four-game losing streak that included a 3-0 defeat to Swansea in the Europa League on Thursday.
Jonas scored a brace for Valencia, netting in the 32nd and then again in the 73rd after Kevin Gameiro leveled for Sevilla in the 52nd. Substitute Victor Ruiz headed in Valencia’s last goal in the 82nd minute.
On to the Serie A where Napoli defeated hosts AC Milan 2-1 at San Siro. Miguel Britos and Gonzalo Higuain scored for visitors to stun Milan on home turf on Sunday night. Mario Balotelli scored a late goal for Milan.
With this win Napoli are unbeaten with four wins from as many games and join Roma at top of the Seria A table.
For Napoli hero of the match was Pepe Reina, who on-loan from Liverpool saved Balotelli’s second-half penalty to end the striker’s flawless record from the spot. Balotelli, though, did score sneak a late consolation goal before seeing red after the final whistle was blown.
AC Milan’s cross-city rivals Inter Milan, on the other hand, continued their fine start to the season hammering newly promoted Sassuolo 7-0.
The Nerazzurri took the lead in seventh minute through Rodrigo Palacio and visitors were up by three goals at half-time as Algerian Saphir Taider netted a brilliant volley and an own goal from Raffaele Pucino.
Ricardo Alvarez started the second-half for Inter with a bang, while substitute Diego Milito netted a brace either side of Esteban Cambiasso’s goal to register an impressive rout.
Fernando Llorente scored the winner on his full debut as Juventus beat newly promoted Hellas Verona 2-1 in Turin.
Hellas Verona arrived with a reputation of giant-killers as they already defeated AC Milan on the opening day of the season and shocked the hosts with an opening goal from Fabrizio Cacciatore on 37 minutes.
Carlos Tevez responded with a fiercely-struck equaliser and Llorente completed the comeback with a header deep into first-half stoppage time.
Roma with two second half goals defeated Lazio in Sunday’s Rome derby to retain their 100 per cent record in Serie A this season.
Federico Balzaretti gave Roma a lead on 63 minutes and Substitute Adam Ljajic converted a penalty deep in stoppage time to seal the tie in favour of the Giallorossi.