Europe´s football underdogs return to form

Unheralded Mainz top the table in Germany, Cesena have led Serie A, Saint-Etienne are back at the summit of the French first division and Barcelona were beaten, at home, by minnows Hercules.

Strange things are afoot in European football.

Over the early weeks of the season, in every major league on the continent, the big guns have struggled and the lesser lights have seized their chances. MORE