European roundup: Bayern Munich and Man City stunned, Messi and Ronaldo sparkle
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Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric (L) celebrates with teammates during their clash with Bayern Munich at PreZero-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany, September 27, 2020. /VCG

Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric (L) celebrates with teammates during their clash with Bayern Munich at PreZero-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany, September 27, 2020. /VCG

European champions Bayern Munich suffered a first defeat in 10 months when their 23-match winning run was ended by a shock 4-1 Bundesliga loss at Hoffenheim on Sunday.

Hoffenheim raced into a 2-0 lead with early goals by defender Ermin Bicakcic and striker Munas Dabbur.

Although Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern a lifeline just before the break, Croatia international striker Andrej Kramaric netted a second-half goal and converted a late penalty to seal the win and move Hoffenheim to the top of the league.

It was the first time Bayern have lost under head coach Hansi Flick in any competition since going down 2-1 to Borussia Moenchengladbach on December 7, 2019.

Bayern looked tired, showing the effects of being taken to extra time in the UEFA Super Cup on Thursday before beating Sevilla 2-1 in Budapest.

The loss brings to an end Bayern's run of 23 consecutive wins, a record for a club in one of Europe's five main leagues, surpassing Real Madrid's 22 straight between September and December 2014.

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates his hat-trick during their league clash with Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, September 27, 2020. /VCG

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates his hat-trick during their league clash with Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, September 27, 2020. /VCG

In England, Jamie Vardy's hat-trick dealt an early blow to Manchester City's hopes of wrestling back the Premier League title as they conceded three penalties in a 5-2 defeat to Leicester, while Newcastle's late spot-kick to snatch a 1-1 draw at Tottenham sparked fresh debate over the handball rule.

City were without a host of first-team regulars due to injury and coronavirus infections, but the deficiencies at the back that undid their title defense last season were again exposed by the pace and finishing prowess of Vardy as a Pep Guardiola team conceded five for the first time in his coaching career.

Leicester stormed to the top of the league, but had to come from behind to extend their perfect start to the season.

City are reportedly close to signing Benfica center-back Ruben Dias and the need for defensive cover was obvious as Vardy tore apart the experimental pairing of Eric Garcia and Nathan Ake.

"We set up to infuriate them and it has worked a treat," said Vardy. "We knew if we stuck to our plan we would get some chances."

Barcelona's Lionel Messi dribbles the ball during a La Liga clash with Villarreal CF at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, September 27, 2020. /VCG

Barcelona's Lionel Messi dribbles the ball during a La Liga clash with Villarreal CF at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, September 27, 2020. /VCG

In Spain, Lionel Messi scored in his first game since trying to leave Barcelona as Ronald Koeman began his tenure as coach by overseeing a 4-0 Liga demolition of Villarreal. 

Messi converted from the spot 10 minutes before half-time and then the Argentine's cross forced Pau Torres into an own-goal, after an early double from the 17-year-old Ansu Fati had already put Barca in charge.

It meant Barcelona's past, present and future were all among the goals on the same afternoon as Luis Suarez, whose departure was confirmed on Thursday, marked his Atletico Madrid debut by scoring twice in a 6-1 win over Granada.

"Sometimes it is important to have a change as a player," said Suarez. "I've come to a club that has given me a spectacular welcome, it shows in the atmosphere, you get a good impression from the beginning, and you can see that on the pitch."

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the pitch during their clash with Roma at Olimpico, Rome, Italy, September 27, 2020. /VCG

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the pitch during their clash with Roma at Olimpico, Rome, Italy, September 27, 2020. /VCG

In Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to salvage a point for 10-man Juventus in a 2-2 draw at Roma as Napoli hammered Genoa 6-0 in Serie A.

Champions Juventus were trailing 2-1 and a man down after an hour at the Stadio Olimpico after a Jordan Veretout brace for the hosts and Adrien Rabiot's sending off.

But a towering Ronaldo header grabbed the equalizer in the 69th minute to avoid handing new Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo a first defeat.

"Going behind complicated things but we got an important point," said Ronaldo. "We're at the start of the season, with a new coach. But the team are working well, I'm confident for the future."

"Pirlo? It's still early days, but we're working with a smile, that's important," he added.

Hirving Lozano scored twice as Napoli swept past coronavirus-hit Genoa while AC Milan continued their winning run without Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a 2-0 victory against promoted Crotone.

"The result is a bit misleading, if we hadn't scored the second goal quickly in the second half, I would probably have changed the set-up," said coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Source(s): AFP