PARIS (AFP) - Superstar strikers Michael Owen and Alessandro Del Piero were hailed as players reborn as they put their critics firmly in their place with match-winning performances at the weekend.
England star Owen followed up his Champions League winner against Dynamo Kiev with an ice-cool finish to score his first Real Madrid league goal in the 1-0 win over defending Spanish champions Valencia.
Italian ace Del Piero, under fire for a lack of fitness as well as form, was also on target with a brace as Juventus cemented their position at the top of Serie A with a 3-0 demolition of Siena.
"The goal has given me more confidence. I haven't hit my best level yet but that can't be too far away," said Owen, after his first league goal for Real since his summer move from Liverpool.
"I have to give thanks to (Real coach) Mariano Garcia Remon, for having confidence in me. You have to remember, I've arrived in a strange city, and have to deal with a new language and new team. It's not easy to be on top form straight away."
Remon was full of praise for Owen.
"This is what we have been waiting for, he's saved us in the last two games. But you have to look at the work he has been doing off the ball, not just the goals," said the Real coach.
Real are still nine points behind leaders Barcelona who extended their unbeaten streak to eight games and maintained a five-point lead as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Osasuna.
Samuel Eto'o (2) and Ronaldinho found the net.
In Italy, Juve's victory not only gave a huge boost to Del Piero's confidence, but also enabled the Turin giants to open up a five-point lead over AC Milan, who drew 0-0 with city rivals Inter Milan, and Lecce who beat Messina 4-1.
Del Piero, a major disappointment for Italy at Euro 2004, insisted he is slowly starting to find his feet after a difficult start to the season.
"My physical condition is improving all the time and I think its starting to show," said the 29-year-old.
"However, I'm not getting too excited and I have to complete my rehabilitation, even if I feel that I am on the right road."
In France, Paris Saint Germain hinted at a revival of their own.
Three days after beating reigning champions Porto 2-0 in the Champions League, they enjoyed a 1-0 win over Ajaccio to register just their third league win of the season.
Lyon still lead the table despite a 0-0 draw with lowly Istres after Lille squandered the chance to go top falling to a last minute goal at Toulouse.
In Germany, an injury-ravaged Bayern Munich made up ground in the title race but needed a brace of late goals to down Hansa Rostock 2-0.
With 82 minutes played Bayern were locked 0-0 but French international Willy Sagnol broke the resistance with a header and substitute Mehmet Scholl added a second three minutes later.
The victory comes on the back of two straight defeats for Bayern who are now third.
"The sense of relief is enormous," said Bayern chief Felix Magath.
Bayern close in on VfB Stuttgart and are now just three points behind Matthias Sammer's team who fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat at SC Freiburg.
Wolfsburg crushed VfL Bochum 3-0 to stay top with a one-point lead.
10/24/2004 - 22:17 GMT - AFP