Soccer-Talking points from European soccer

GERMANY LEIPZIG BID FAREWELL TO FORSBERG WITH WIN Emil Forsberg enjoyed a perfect final home match for RB Leipzig, scoring and helping set up another goal in their 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday, with his transfer to New York Red Bulls in January announced straight after the game. The 32-year-old Sweden midfielder, who will join the MLS club on a two-year deal, signed for Leipzig in 2015 with the team in the second division at the time.

Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: FRANCE

NICE MOMENTUM STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS Nice's exceptional start to the season came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as Le Havre almost effortlessly dismantled their defence to win 3-0 against Francesco Farioli's side.

While Nice remain second in Ligue 1, the gap to Paris Saint Germain has widened to five points, though it could have been worse after the leaders conceded late in a 1-1 draw at Lille. Nice's previous defensive stability, with only six goals conceded until Saturday, has not been matched up front as they have only scored 17 goals - less than half the tally of PSG and the fewest among the top eight teams.

If the defence starts shipping goals the second half of the season could be tough for Farioli's team, who have one match at home to seventh-placed Lens before the Christmas break. SPAIN

BITTERSWEET NIGHT FOR REAL AS ALABA TEARS ACL Real Madrid breezed past visitors Villarreal 4-1 on Sunday to top the LaLiga standings but it was a bittersweet night for Carlo Ancelotti's side as their Austria defender David Alaba was forced out of the game in the first half with a knee injury.

Alaba will be sidelined for several months as he requires surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament after becoming the third Real player sidelined with an ACL tear this season after centre-back Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 31-year-old had to be helped off the pitch by medical staff in the 35th minute after twisting his left knee running to make a challenge in midfield, dealing another blow to the club who have struggled with several long-term injuries this season.

Real's injury list includes Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga, who are aiming to return in January. New signing Arda Guler has yet to make his debut due to nagging injuries while Courtois and Militao will be sidelined for several months after their ACL tears early this season.

Real lead the table on 42 points but Girona, a point behind, can return to the top with a win over lowly Alaves on Monday. GERMANY

LEIPZIG BID FAREWELL TO FORSBERG WITH WIN Emil Forsberg enjoyed a perfect final home match for RB Leipzig, scoring and helping set up another goal in their 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday, with his transfer to New York Red Bulls in January announced straight after the game.

The 32-year-old Sweden midfielder, who will join the MLS club on a two-year deal, signed for Leipzig in 2015 with the team in the second division at the time. "To score a goal in my last home game and win together with the lads feels fantastic," he said. "I love the club and the fans. I experienced everything here from the second division to the Champions League and the German Cup win. It was a great ride."

ITALY INTER FLYING HIGH AFTER RARE SUCCESS AT LAZIO

Inter Milan took advantage of Juventus' 1-1 draw at Genoa on Friday to increase their lead atop Serie A to four points with their first victory at Lazio in more than five years. Simone Inzaghi's Inter side enjoyed a 2-0 victory in Rome and have now won 13 of their opening 16 matches in Serie A for only the second time after the 2006-07 campaign.

They are also the team with the most wins combined with a clean sheet in the big five European leagues (11).

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)