Cristian Volpato returned from injury as an 83rd minute substitute for Sassuolo in a 4-2 loss to Frosinone in Italy’s Serie A.
Volpato, who hadn’t played since September 6, had minimal impact during his cameo, turning the ball over a few times with his passing.
Italian-Australian teenager Antonio Arena was on the bench but remained unused in AS Roma’s 2-0 win over Genoa.
Cameron Peupion was also back for the first time in almost three months due to a knee injury, remaining unused on the bench for ADO Den Haag as they stunned PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Mat Ryan had a strong game as Levante managed a 1-1 draw away to Deportivo Coruna in Spain’s La Liga.
Ryan finished with four goalkeeper saves, although one of them was self inflicted after his error almost gifted Mario Soriano a close-range goal.
Patrick Beach had another tough day at the office as struggling Troyes were downed 3-1 at home by Lens in France’s Ligue 1.
Beach put in a full shift, making one save, with the Socceroo having little chance to prevent any of the three goals conceded.
Paul Okon-Engstler was a 68th minute substitute for FC Koln in their 1-0 loss away to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany’s Bundesliga on Friday night.
The Socceroo was busy during his 25 minutes on the field, acquitting himself well with a key pass that almost set up a goal, including 4/5 accurate passes in the final third.
Sam Klein played his most minutes yet for St Pauli in their 1-1 draw away to Hannover 96 in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old Queenslander had a good game, with 23/26 (86% accuracy) passes, including one into the final third and 9/11 in the final third.
Connor Metcalfe started and played 85 minutes for St Pauli, having an average game with three shots, with only one on target.
In 3.Liga, Dylan Leonard played a full game in Aachen’s 2-0 win over Hansa Rostock, while Nishan Velupillay played the first half as Ingolstadt edged RW Essen 2-0.
Lucas Herrington had a tough time as Hull City were humbled 1-0 away to Fulham in the English Premier League.
Herrington picked up a 22nd minute yellow card for tripping and won 2/5 duels with better passing, before being was replaced at the break.
Riley McGree took on Alex Robertson as Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Cardiff City in England’s Championship.
McGree started and played 79 minutes, earning a 5/10 rating from Teesside Live who wrote: “Improved in the second half along with Boro in general, but was off it in the first half.
“He took up dangerous positions but didn’t make use of them as his final ball was lacking. Didn’t get hold of the ball in the build-up to the first Cardiff goal when it came out to him.
Robertson played the full game and received a 7/10 rating from Wales Online, who wrote: “Donned the captain’s armband and continued his very good recent form with another composed display in midfield.
“He helped Cardiff establish control during an excellent first half and produced a crucial block to deny Amario Cozier-Duberry before the break.”
Kealey Adamson put in a full shift in QPR’s 3-0 loss at Birmingham, while Callum Elder was an 80th minute sub and Joe Gauci remained unused in Lincoln’s 2-2 draw at Millwall.
Gianni Stensness played a full game as Viking stayed in title contention with a 3-2 win over midtable Fredrikstad in Norway’s Eliteserien. Viking remain level on points with leaders Bodo/Glimt after 23 of 30 rounds.
Paul Izzo kept a clean sheet in Randers’ 0-0 draw at Horsens in Denmark’s Superliga.
Jacob Chapman saved a penalty, only to concede from the rebound, as St Mirren went down 3-1 to Aberdeen in Scotland’s Premiership, while Ryan Strain got an assist in Falkirk’s 2-1 win at Hibernian.
