European round-up: Real Madrid's already slim title hopes were dealt another heavy blow with a surprise 2-1 defeat at their modest neighbours Getafe, who took control from midway through the first half.
Getafe were rewarded for a period of intense pressure when midfielder Raul Albiol cracked home a well-timed volley after Real defender Ivan Helguera sliced a clearance over his own head in the 37th minute.
The visitors seemed powerless to respond and Getafe doubled their lead three minutes after the break when former Real youth player Riki beat the offside trap and scored with a fine shot.
Santiago Solari's spectacular half-volley in the last minute provided Reals consolation.
Barcelona shook off the disappointment of their Champions League loss to Chelsea with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and are now nine points clear at the top.
Atletico Madrid followed up last week's impressive 3-0 win over Sevilla with a morale-boosting victory over Valencia last night that left them just a point adrift of the European places.
Fernando Torres took his tally for the season to 15 goals as he put Atletico ahead in the 14th minute with a header after a corner.
Valencia fought for an equaliser and dominated for long periods but Atletico staged a determined rearguard action to take the points.
ITALY: A late strike from Uruguayan Ruben Olivera gave Juventus a controversial 1-0 win at Chievo Verona last night to leave them level with Serie A leaders AC Milan, who hung on for a 1-0 win over Sampdoria.
A 65th-minute header from Brazilian Kaka left Milan level with Juventus on 63 points, while third-placed Inter Milan trail 16 behind following a 1-1 at Lazio on Saturday.
Juventus's victory was hotly disputed with Chievo having a goal ruled out and substitute Olivera and Chievo defender Alessandro Potenza both sent off two minutes from the end.
Chievo felt they should have had the lead five minutes after the restart when Sergio Pellissier rattled a shot against the underside of the crossbar. Although television replays showed the ball had clearly crossed the line, the referee and linesman ignored Chievo's demands for a goal.
GERMANY: Schalke 04 grabbed a precious 1-0 win at home to Bayern Munich yesterday to move three points clear of their rivals at the top of the Bundesliga.
Brazilian midfielder Lincoln made the breakthrough in the 69th minute from a free kick and Schalke held on comfortably against a Bayern side that tired noticeably in the second half.
The result took Schalke above Bayern and into top spot with 53 points from 25 games.
