Real Madrid can’t score, Man United can’t win, lucky Barcelona, Bayern Munich humbled

What a weekend! With huge weekends in LaLiga (Real Madrid and Barcelona both dropped points) and the Premier League (joy for Man City and Liverpool, more misery for Man United and Tottenham), along with a massive result in the Bundesliga involving reigning champions Bayern Munich, the calendar didn’t disappoint.

Here are Mark Ogden, Alex Kirkland and James Tyler with what you need to know from around Europe.

Go to: Talking points | Top goals | Troubled teams | Weekend MVP

Four talking points

Are Real Madrid doomed without Benzema?

Real Madrid were always going to suffer without Karim Benzema, but even so, their scoring struggles in the three games since he picked up a hamstring injury — the latest being Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Villarreal — have been a painful reminder of just how much the team’s chances of success this season depend on getting the forward back on the pitch as soon as possible.

None of the alternatives at manager Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal are capable of adequately mimicking Benzema’s unique skillset. Gareth Bale was tasked with filling in at No. 9 at the Estadio La Ceramica, and he did as well as could reasonably be expected in his first league appearance in over five months. He was Madrid’s biggest goal threat by some distance and was denied three times by Geronimo Rulli, including one vicious, dipping second-half shot that the keeper tipped onto the crossbar.

– HIGHLIGHTS: Real Madrid, Villarreal draw 0-0 (U.S. only)

Bale was later replaced by Luka Jovic, who also hit the woodwork with a deft lob in added time. Ancelotti blamed bad luck, and on another day Bale, Jovic or both could have been on the scoresheet, but the importance of Benzema’s absence goes far beyond the team missing his clinical finishing. The role he plays as the fulcrum of Madrid’s attack, and the space and…