The coaxed returns of Bayern most successful coach ever, seem to be the step in the right direction for the German side. Heynckes has stabilised, revitalised and transformed Bayern’s fortunes, taking the serial champions to what they deem their rightful position at the top of the Bundesliga in a matter of weeks, garnering eight more points than BVB, who were five clear when “Don Jupp” ditched the pipe and slippers and came out of retirement.
Chasing a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich moved three points clear at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 win over 10-man Leipzig.
It was déjà vu for Leipzig, in similar fashion to the dramatic midweek DFB Pokal tie; the east German side had to play with 10 men for a vast chunk of the game following captain Willi Orban’s red card on 13 minutes for a foul on Arjen Robben.
Two clinical finishes from James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski put the game out of reach and with the fixtures coming thick and fast, Bayern were understandably content to go through the motions in the second half, applying cruise control against a depleted and demoralized Leipzig side.
On the other hand, things seem to be getting out of control to the Spanish champions Real Madrid suffering a great defeat to the hand of newly promoted side Girona. The result means Zinedine Zidane’s side are now eight points adrift of pacesetters Barcelona at the top of the Liga table. Real Madrid struggled all through the match as Girona were the better side from start to finish, with goals from Christian Stuani and Portu giving the Catalans a famous win.
Isco gave the visitors an early lead, finishing from close range after Cristiano Ronaldo initiated a shot which was repelled by the goalkeeper. But Girona gathered themselves and were unfortunate not to equalise before the break, striking the woodwork twice as they pressed and probed for a breakthrough.
And it eventually came with a quick fire double in the second half, with Stuani firing home before Portu flicked home a clever backheel just moments later. From there, Real Madrid panicked, with Zidane shifting his team into an unfamiliar formation which only seemed to choke their creativity. This could prove to be a big moment in the 2017/18 La Liga season.
Could this be the end of Zinedane Magical touch with the Spanish champion?