Top of the table at home and abroad

It has been a good week so far for Barça with a win last Saturday away from home in La Liga against Eibar and another win on the road this Wednesday, this time in the Champions League at Slavia Prague. Those victories mean that Ernesto Valverde’s team are top of the table at home La Liga and abroad in Group F in European competition, a feat only matched on the continent by Dutch side Ajax, French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Serie A side Juventus.  

A goal from Leo Messi and an own goal from Olayinka in the Eden Arena against Slavia allow Barça to sit atop of their group in the Champions League on 7 points, three ahead of second placed Inter Milan who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in Italy on Wednesday.

The return of Messi after injury has coincided with Barça’s spurt in the league and in Europe. The recent win over Eibar in Ipurua combined with Real Madrid’s defeat away at Mallorca means that Ernesto Valverde’s team have 19 points in La Liga, one ahead of their eternal rivals.

PSG on top in France, Ajax in Holland and Juventus in Italy

PSG’s 5-0 win away at Bruges this weekend in the Champions League keeps them leaders in Group A with a 100% record so far in the competition. In Ligue 1 they enjoy a five point lead over second placed Nantes.

Defeat for Ajax at home to Chelsea in the Johan Cruyff Arena has not stopped them topping their group on goal difference ahead of the Premier League side with six points. In the Eredivisie they have a three point lead over rivals PSV and Vitesse.

Finally in Serie A Juventus have a one point advantage over Barça’s Champions League group rivals Inter Milan and also lead their group in Europe on goal difference from Atlético Madrid.