Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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The tendency to go for experience is certainly prevalent at the top clubs across Europe: Carlo Ancelotti (64) is in his second stint at Real Madrid, while Max Allegri (56, Juventus), Stefano Pioli (57, AC Milan) and Jose Mourinho (60, Roma) all have plenty of nous. Elsewhere, even names such as Mauricio Pochettino (51, Chelsea), Diego Simeone (53, Atletico Madrid) and Erik ten Hag (53, Man United), who are still considered on the rise, are 50-plus.

From Paris Saint-Germain getting upset by Nice to Bayern Munich battling Leverkusen to a draw, from Manchester United falling to Brighton to Inter Milan walloping AC Milan. Things ended Sunday with more frustration for Chelsea, a historic first win for Heidenheim, and Arsenal gritting their teeth to pick up an impressive win at Everton

Alonso, 41 — who twice played for Ancelotti, including at the end of a five-year spell as a Madrid player between 2009 and 2014 — has guided Leverkusen to second in the Bundesliga this season, level on points with league leaders Bayern Munich.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

European club football is back, with mouthwatering action and dynamite drama on seemingly every channel and in every ground across the continent. The Premier League, LaLiga, the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all had matchups worth rehashing.

I got four or five of them right. Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich didn’t end up the best teams in Europe, but Erling Haaland did score 50 goals, Newcastle United did finish top-six, Union Berlin did reach the Champions League, Fulham did stay up, and AS Monaco nearly won the watchability race.

The 2022-23 Bundesliga season saw Bayern Munich win their 11th consecutive title, but it obscures the fact that it was secured on the final day of the season, in a dramatic twist, snatched from the grasp of Borussia Dortmund. It was a result that did little to combat allegations that Germany’s top flight is predictable, but the circuitous journey the Bavarians took to lifting the Meisterschale ensured plenty of intrigue and chewed fingernails along the way.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media reported the German club paid €25 million euros ($27.2m) for the 30-year old.

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