The Weekend Review: Giants clash in Spain, England

Every Monday, we'll take a stroll through Europe to review the best - and worst - the top leagues on the continent had to offer over the weekend. As always, there is plenty to discuss after a full slate of action.

The Storylines

Real Madrid brushes Barcelona aside in El Clasico

That was fun.

Real Madrid and Barcelona brought the footballing world to a halt for 90 minutes on Saturday, as all eyes were fixated on the Santiago Bernabeu for this season's first edition of El Clasico.

As ever, the match between the bitter Spanish rivals had a little bit of everything. Great goals, a frenetic pace, penalty drama, crunching challenges and of course, the allure of at least one juicy storyline.

This time, it was the inclusion of Luis Suarez in the starting lineup, making his first competitive appearance for Barcelona since his summer transfer from Liverpool - you may have heard that he was suspended for an indefensible action at the World Cup.

While the Uruguayan looked poised to steal the show after setting up Neymar's opening goal in just the third minute, the focus quickly became a rampant Madrid side. Isco, playing for the injured Gareth Bale, was the best player on the pitch, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema provided the all-important goals.

Barcelona had no answer for the pace of Carlo Ancelotti's men, who looked like they had been shot out of a canon every time they retrieved the ball and went onto the attack.

The 3-1 score flattered the visitors. It could have been much worse.

The next meeting between the two sides, set for March 22 at the Camp Nou, can't come quickly enough.

Chelsea pegged back by late United goal

Europe's second marquee match of the weekend saw Premier League leaders Chelsea visit the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford, where concerns over the defensive frailties of Louis van Gaal's side was all the talk heading into the contest.

Could the Red Devils handle the potent Blues attack? No Diego Costa, out with a groin injury, helped. So did the absence of Loic Remy. All they would have to contend with now was a 36-year-old Didier Drogba who, after leaving the England and spending time in both China and Turkey, was looking for his first Premier League goal in two years. Sounds easy. Not quite.

But United, who have seen their home ground devolve from a fortress into just another stadium since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, rekindled some of the old magic that was so common under the Scottish legend.

Deep into Fergie stoppage time, a questionable foul call by referee Phil Dowd handed Angel Di Maria a free kick just outside the Chelsea area. The Argentine had been held under wraps by the incredible defensive work of Willian throughout the match, but with the Brazilian substituted, Di Maria finally had the opportunity to run free. The ensuing set piece saw Thibaut Courtois make a quick reaction save from a Marouane Fellaini header, but the Belgian was helpless as Robin van Persie smashed home the rebound in the 94th minute. All square, 1-1, at the final whistle.

A late goal for United sent Old Trafford into euphoria. Just like old times.

The Highlights

Real Madrid puts on a counter-attacking clinic

The goal that put Saturday's Clasico to bed was a counter-attacking masterpiece - aided by some miscommunication between Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano.   

(Courtesy: Reddit)

David Silva dances through West Ham's defense

The Manchester City midfielder was the hot knife. The West Ham back-line seemed more than happy to oblige and play the supporting role of the butter in this production.

Hakan Calhanoglu's brilliant free kick knocks off Schalke

Scoring a beautiful goal is always nice. Scoring the match-winner is even better. Combine the two, and you have the Holy Grail. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu found it this weekend.

Alim Ozturk scores wonder goal in Edinburgh derby 

The Scottish game doesn't provide much in the way of attacking brilliance, they said. The football is too direct and lacks skill, they claimed. Hibernian defender Alim Ozturk did his best to debunk those common cliches this weekend, helping his side claim a 1-1 draw against Hearts with this belter in stoppage time.

Nicolas Lopez helps Verona take some solace in loss to Napoli

Napoli was always going to break out at some point. Playing in a league that is laboring so badly, a team with so much attacking talent was due for a big match after sleepwalking through the opening weeks of the season. Hellas Verona just happened to be the opposition on Sunday during Napoli's big day, succumbing to a 6-2 beat down. At least Nicolas Lopez made sure the club would get one positive highlight from the contest. 

The Lowlight

Fernando Torres with contender for worst shot of the season

New club, same Fernando Torres. The Spaniard continues to meet his quota of one hilarious highlight per season, this time leaving AC Milan supporters to cower in embarrassment at the sight of this attempted bicycle kick against Fiorentina.

That sound you hear is Chelsea supporters nodding in unison, recollecting Torres' worst moments while wearing the all-blue kit.

The Shocker

Udinese leap to 3rd in Serie A

We shouldn't be surprised by this anymore, but Antonio Di Natale could probably play, and score, until he hits 50. He continues to defy all logic. The diminutive Italian is living proof that the Fountain of Youth is out there somewhere.

Now 37, the Udinese striker scored his fifth goal of the Serie A season in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Atalanta. Because Father Time has no effect on him, it was a beauty.

Di Natale, a club legend who has spurned multiple advances from other, more established teams in the past, sits seventh on Italy's all-time scoring list, now only eight tallies behind Roberto Baggio (205).

Barring an injury, he will surpass the Divine Ponytail at some point this year.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, in the process, he could get the tiny Friulian side into Europe?

The Controversy

Phil Jagielka is the fastest player in the Premier League?

A relatively tame weekend in Europe - aside from Pep Guardiola letting emotions get the best of him and berating a fourth official - lacked much in the way of legitimate controversy.

(You can debate the Ivanovic red card until you're blue in the face, but it was a foul. Contact was made).

As such, our beef this weekend lies with EA Sports' tracking data, which claims the Phil Jagielka recorded the fastest sprint of any EPL player this season. Don't laugh.

Hitting a top speed of 35.99 km/hour in Everton's opening match of the season, the 32-year-old defender has outpaced the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling.

Not to dismiss Jagielka's pace, but has anyone checked to ensure EA Sports' technology isn't faulty?

The 1,000 Words

Looks familiar, doesn't it? Drogba celebrating in anything other than Chelsea blue just never felt right.

Stray Thoughts

• This whole situation at Borussia Dortmund is getting out of hand. Unstoppable in the Champions League, Jurgen Klopp's side fell to yet another Bundesliga defeat on the weekend, losing 1-0 to Hannover. The result, a fourth consecutive league loss, leaves the club one point out of the relegation zone. 
• Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, league leaders Bayern Munich were held to a goalless draw by Borussia Monchengladbach, and have a handful of wonderful saves from Manuel Neuer to thank for that point. Maybe they used up all of their goals against Roma in midweek?
• Paris Saint-Germain didn't draw 1-1. Shocking, I know. Instead, a 3-0 win over Bordeaux brought the Parisien side to second in the Ligue 1 table, four points behind Marseille. Progress is being made.
• All aboard the Southampton bandwagon. If you're not in love with the Premier League's second-placed team yet, what are you waiting for?
• Alexis Sanchez is going to be to Arsenal what Luis Suarez was to Liverpool - at least while the club is without a host of injured stars. The Chilean is good enough to drag the Gunners into Europe on his own.
• Parity at the top of the La Liga table? It probably won't last, but it's nice to see.