REAL Madrid, Juventus and Monaco remained on course for domestic championship honours after the weekend games.
But in Germany, as usual, and in the Netherlands, the picture was far from clear. The Dutch programme was overshadowed by the death of a Ajax fan in an apparently prearranged battle with Feyenoord supporters yesterday.
ITALY: Juventus now lead Italy's serie A by the same six point margin despite only managing a goalless draw at Napoli.
Juve, who had Paolo Montero sent off in the first half had goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi to thank for their point as the Italy international foiled Alfredo Aglietti in the last minute.
Second placed Parma lost for the first time since January - 1-0 at Fiorentina to allow Internazionale to close to within two points following their 2-1 win over Verona.
SPAIN: Real Madrid stayed nine clear in Spain as two goals by Fernando Hierro overcame Zaragoza.
Barcelona hammered Sevilla 4-0 with goals by Ronaldo, Juan Pizzi, Luis Enrique and Oscar Garcia to climb above Real Betis on goal difference.
Betis had beaten Racing Santander 2-1 on Saturday.
FRANCE: Monaco were seven points clear in France but left it late to beat Bastia 3-1. Two goals in the last eight minutes from Brazilian striker Anderson kept Monaco on course for the title.
PSG stayed second with a 2-0 win over Metz. Patrice Loko, who scored a hat-trick in the Cup Winners' Cup on Thursday, hit both goals.
NETHERLANDS: The death of an Ajax fan and several injuries in a pitched battk with Feyenoord followers involving baseball bats and knives diverted attention from an important weekend.
PSV Eindhoven lost their unbeaten home record by slumping 1-0 to Heerenveen on Saturday and Feyenoord took advantage by winning 2-0 at AZ Alkmaar to draw level on points at the top. PSV still lead on goal difference.
GERMANY: The Bundesliga can always be relied upon to provide a close finish and this season is developing into a classic four way battle.
Stuttgart took over the lead on Friday after hammering Fortuna Duesseldorf 4-0 away. But Bayern Munich rediscovered their winning ways yesterday to return to the top courtesy of a 2-0 success at Karlsruhe. Alex Zickler scored both goals.
In between, Bayer Leverkusea's charge continued as a 1-0 success at Freiburg left them in third as defending champions Borussia Dortmund lost 3-1 at home to lowly Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Munich head the standings on 49 points to the 47 of Stuttgart and Leverkusen. Dortmund have 46.
PORTUGAL: Porto won 2-0 at Boa vista to stay seven clear of Sporting who beat Guimaraes 4-1.
