Bayern Munich’s unbeaten start to the season came to a dramatic end on Saturday as they were stunned 2-1 by Mainz. Lee Jae-sung was the hero for the hosts, scoring both goals in the match to secure a memorable victory. The South Korean midfielder struck first in the 41st minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Bayern. Mainz doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Lee finished off a well-crafted attacking move with a composed turn and shot in the box, leaving Bayern’s defense rooted to the spot.
Despite a late goal from Leroy Sané in the 87th minute, Bayern were unable to find an equalizer, suffering their first league loss of the season. This result saw Bayern’s lead at the top of the Bundesliga reduced to just four points. Head coach Vincent Kompany acknowledged that his team was not at their best, although he praised Mainz’s spirited performance. Bayern were missing eight players due to injury, including top scorer Harry Kane, which contributed to their lackluster display. Kompany expressed his belief that while his team fought hard, they were simply not sharp enough to secure a positive result.
The defeat handed Bayer Leverkusen an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table, and they took full advantage with a 2-0 win over Augsburg. Leverkusen, the defending champions, have been in excellent form this season, and this victory marked their seventh consecutive win in all competitions. Martin Terrier opened the scoring for Xabi Alonso’s side in the 17th minute, before Florian Wirtz doubled their lead with a low drive just before the break. The result lifted Leverkusen into second place, just four points behind Bayern.
Alonso remained focused on the team’s performance rather than the league standings, stating that it was still too early in the season to be overly concerned with the table. His emphasis was on maintaining the team’s strong performances, with the next match being their sole focus. Leverkusen’s win, combined with Bayern’s slip-up, kept the title race wide open as the season continues to unfold.
In other Bundesliga action, Eintracht Frankfurt had the chance to trim Bayern’s lead to just three points with a win against fourth-placed RB Leipzig on Sunday. Frankfurt have been in strong form this season, and a victory in Leipzig would further tighten the race at the top of the table.
In Serie A, Atalanta continued their impressive run with a 1-0 victory over Cagliari, extending their winning streak to 10 consecutive league matches. Nicolò Zaniolo came off the bench to score the only goal of the match in the 66th minute, turning home a low cross from Raoul Bellanova. Despite Cagliari’s strong first-half performance, Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi was in excellent form, making several key saves to keep the game scoreless before his team broke the deadlock.
Atalanta’s win marked a new club record for consecutive league victories, and they remain firmly in the hunt for the Serie A title. Cagliari had their chances, particularly in the first half, but were unable to convert them into goals. Zaniolo’s late strike was enough to secure all three points for the visitors, who continued to build momentum in the league.
Meanwhile, Napoli kept up the pressure on Atalanta with a 3-1 victory over Udinese. The match was evenly poised at 1-1 until the 76th minute, when Udinese’s Lautaro Giannetti inadvertently scored an own goal while attempting to clear a ball. Napoli’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa sealed the win five minutes later with a low shot that found the back of the net. Napoli’s late surge ensured they remained just two points behind Atalanta in the race for the Serie A title.
The victory was crucial for Napoli, who had to fight back after Udinese had equalized in the second half. The late goals ensured that Napoli kept pace with Atalanta, maintaining their position near the top of the table. With the Serie A season still in its early stages, the competition for the title is expected to intensify as the teams continue to battle for supremacy.
As the season progresses, both the Bundesliga and Serie A title races remain wide open, with several teams showing strong form and keeping the pressure on the leaders. Bayern Munich’s slip-up at Mainz has given Leverkusen renewed hope, while Atalanta’s continued dominance in Italy makes them one of the favorites for the Serie A crown. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining which teams can maintain their momentum and secure a place at the top of their respective leagues.
