Talking points from European soccer

Milan earned a narrow 1-0 win at home over champions Napoli on Sunday to remain unbeaten in Serie A in the calendar year, becoming Italian top flight's second best-scoring side in 2024.

Amid speculations that coach Stefano Pioli will leave in the summer, Milan have turned their good form at the end of the year into an unbeaten Serie A run of six games across January and February, winning five and drawing one.

Only leaders Inter Milan, who have won five out of five with a game in hand, have a better balance so far this year.

With 52 points after their first 24 games of the season, Milan only did better in 1995-96 (53) and 2003-04 (61) in the three-points-per-win era.

FRANCE

PSG CONSOLIDATE TOP SPOT

Paris St Germain showed their power at the top of the Ligue 1 standings after destroying Lille 3-1 on Saturday, a victory that Luis Enrique said gives them confidence ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last 16 clash with Real Sociedad.

"Playing in the Champions League is not like playing for our lives. We will face the competition with calm, without pressure ... We are ready and we have proved it," the coach said.

Although PSG were without striker Kylian Mbappe, Luis Enrique added that the forward "is physically fine and will be available for Wednesday's game".

PSG, who have 50 points in the table, extended their lead to 11 over second-placed Nice, who were beaten 3-2 by AS Monaco, that climbed to third on 38 points after Brest drew 1-1 with Clermont Foot on Sunday.

SPAIN

UNBREAKABLE REAL

Real Madrid were at their best on Saturday as they beat second-placed Girona 4-0 to gain a five-point lead over Spain's surprise package that could prove decisive in the race for the LaLiga title.

While the 14-time European champions' usual rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have lacklustre form, Carlo Ancelotti's side seem little affected by the number of injuries to key players, including all their starting centre-backs.

As the Champions League knockout stages get underway and Real find their best form, winning without LaLiga's top scorer Jude Bellingham, whose sprained ankle was the only bad news for Madrid this weekend, will be their new challenge.