Soccer-Talking points from European soccer

Their victory over Hoffenheim means Dortmund have now won the first nine matches in all competitions this year for a club record, even better than in their 2011-12 league and Cup double-winning season. They could not have wished for a better run-up going into their busy weeks with matches against RB Leipzig, Chelsea in the Champions last 16 return leg, and the Ruhr valley derby against Schalke 04.

Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: DORTMUND RECORD

Borussia Dortmund look set to give champions Bayern Munich a run for their money this season with the Ruhr valley club setting a new record. Their victory over Hoffenheim means Dortmund have now won the first nine matches in all competitions this year for a club record, even better than in their 2011-12 league and Cup double-winning season.

They could not have wished for a better run-up going into their busy weeks with matches against RB Leipzig, Chelsea in the Champions last 16 return leg, and the Ruhr valley derby against Schalke 04. REAL MADRID FIND NEW GEM

Real Madrid had to fight back to rescue a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday and did it thanks to 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez, who came off the bench to score the equalizer five minutes from time. It was only the second appearance for the academy player, who also made a substitute appearance in Real's win at Osasuna last week, laying on an assist for a Vinicius Jr goal.

A goal and an assist in less than 15 minutes played in LaLiga shows why manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to bet on the youngster, despite having veterans Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz available. "Next season Alvaro (Rodriguez) will be a first team player," Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday. "We have high hopes for him, it was a very special day for him, to score in such an important game and a great goal."

GAME CHANGER MBAPPE STRIKES AGAIN Any team would be much better with Kylian Mbappe in their ranks, but Paris St Germain are literally transformed when the France forward plays.

The mercurial Mbappe changed the face of the game when he came on as a second-half substitute in PSG's 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 first leg but his cameo appearance was enough to give the French champions some big hopes for the return leg in Germany. On Sunday, he scored two goals again, one at the end of a counter attack and the other with a superb half volley to equal Edinson Cavani as the club's all-time top scorer with 200 goals from 246 games in all competitions.

It took Cavani 301 matches to reach that tally. MILAN PASS ATALANTA QUALITY CHECK

Milan's 2-0 win over sixth-placed Atalanta on Sunday was the reassurance Stefano Pioli's side needed to believe they have regained their winning touch. After seven consecutive games without a win, Milan have won four competitive outings in a row without conceding a single goal for the first time in five years.

"The defeats took away our confidence and then came performances below our possibilities. The victories, on the other hand, restored our desire to do things well," Pioli said after the Atalanta clash. The will to do things well will matter if Milan want to remain in the top four picture but may prove even more crucial when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

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