As the autumn sun faded and the season gathered pace across Europe’s elite football leagues, September 2025 delivered an intoxicating blend of drama, goals and fresh narratives. From historic derbies and tactical masterclasses to emerging stars staking their claims, fans across the continent had more than enough to savour. With Champions League group stages also beginning to influence domestic momentum, this monthly review brings you the key talking points, standout matches and brightest performers from Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Eredivisie and beyond.

In this series of blog posts, we will be posting a monthly round-up of the action across Europe’s top divisions, and any major talking points we’ve seen over the latest month of action. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the month please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

Serie A

Italy’s top flight wasted no time delivering drama, with September defined by chaos at the top and goals everywhere. The standout fixture was a breath-taking Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter, a seven-goal epic that saw Juventus edge a 4–3 win in Turin. The match swung wildly, encapsulating the attacking intent both sides have embraced this season, and ended with a late winner that sent the Allianz Stadium into raptures. It was a reminder that this rivalry remains one of Europe’s most compelling.

Napoli continued to look like serious title contenders, putting together an impressive run of wins built on slick attacking play and relentless pressing. Their midfield control has been a particular strength, while their forwards have shown a ruthless edge that was occasionally missing last season. AC Milan, meanwhile, have quietly gone about their business, grinding out results and keeping pace despite injuries and rotation due to European commitments.

The big talking point across Serie A is competitiveness. No side looks flawless, defensive records are already under strain, and tactical approaches vary wildly from match to match. With Juventus revitalised, Inter dangerous but erratic, and Napoli brimming with confidence, the title race already feels wide open.

La Liga

September in Spain revolved around statement wins and shifting power dynamics. Barcelona set the early pace, blending control with efficiency to rack up points while conceding very little. Their ability to manage games has stood out, particularly against tricky mid-table opponents, and their younger players have stepped up impressively in high-pressure moments.

Real Madrid provided the month’s most eye-catching performance with a dominant attacking display in one of their biggest fixtures, while Atlético Madrid reminded everyone of their destructive potential with a stunning high-scoring victory over their city rivals. That match, played at a ferocious tempo, showcased Atlético at their best: intense, ruthless, and devastating on the counter.

Elsewhere, La Liga has been defined by unpredictability. Newly promoted sides have already caused upsets, while traditional European hopefuls have dropped points in unexpected places. The early narrative suggests this could be one of the most competitive Spanish seasons in years, with goals flowing and tactical battles keeping fans guessing.

Bundesliga

Germany’s Bundesliga followed a familiar pattern at the top, but with enough variation to keep things interesting. Bayern Munich looked authoritative throughout September, balancing domestic dominance with European demands and once again showing their depth. Their attack clicked quickly, with multiple players contributing goals rather than reliance on a single star.

Borussia Dortmund have stayed within touching distance, helped by energetic performances and a renewed focus on defensive structure. They’ve looked particularly strong at home, where the intensity of their pressing has overwhelmed several opponents. Bayer Leverkusen also remained in the conversation, though inconsistency and off-field questions have slightly disrupted their momentum.

The Bundesliga’s biggest talking point remains the chasing pack. Several clubs appear capable of putting together strong runs, but none have yet shown the consistency needed to truly unsettle Bayern. Still, with young talents flourishing and goals arriving in abundance, the league remains one of Europe’s most entertaining watches.

Ligue 1

In France, Paris Saint-Germain wasted little time asserting their authority. September saw PSG pull away at the top with a series of commanding wins, driven by devastating attacking combinations and an increasingly solid defensive unit. Their ability to rotate without losing quality has once again underlined the gap between them and the rest of the league.

Behind them, Monaco and Lens emerged as the most convincing challengers, each combining tactical discipline with moments of flair. Their head-to-head clashes and tight victories against lower-ranked sides have kept the race for European places lively. Marseille, meanwhile, endured an uneven month, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling for consistency.

The wider Ligue 1 narrative continues to revolve around youth and development. September showcased a wave of young players making decisive contributions, reinforcing the league’s reputation as a breeding ground for future stars, even as PSG remain the benchmark everyone measures themselves against.

Eredivisie

September in the Netherlands was predictably high-octane, with goals raining in across the Eredivisie. Ajax and PSV Eindhoven traded blows at the top of the table, both sides racking up emphatic wins and demonstrating their attacking depth. Their matches were often decided early, with relentless pressing and quick transitions overwhelming opponents.

Feyenoord remained firmly in the mix, combining physicality with technical quality to stay close to the leaders. They’ve been particularly impressive away from home, showing maturity and composure in difficult environments. Elsewhere, several mid-table clubs played their part in making the league unpredictable, springing surprises and contributing to the goal glut.

As ever, the Eredivisie’s talking point is entertainment. Defensive fragility is often outweighed by attacking ambition, and September offered a reminder of why Dutch football remains a favourite for neutrals seeking drama and excitement.

Other

Beyond the major leagues, September delivered compelling stories across Europe. In Portugal and Belgium, traditional powers were pushed hard by ambitious challengers, while several Scandinavian leagues reached decisive phases of their seasons, producing title-defining results and relegation battles. These competitions may not always dominate headlines, but they continue to produce intense football and future stars.

Off the pitch, European football also saw growing focus on sustainability, fan engagement, and calendar congestion. Clubs and leagues alike are navigating the challenge of balancing domestic success with European demands, a theme that will only intensify as the season progresses.

As September closed, one thing was clear: Europe’s football landscape is already rich with narrative. Title races are taking shape, stars are emerging, and tensions are rising. With autumn fully underway, the months ahead promise even more drama across the continent’s pitches.

Don’t forget if you have anything you saw this last month that we have missed, or you’re looking ahead to any big European football moments next month, you can get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).