Overview
- The Barcelona win, which came on Sunday, saw the league holders beat Elche 5-0 to start their La Liga defence with a dominant away performance.
- Raphinha and Fermín López each scored two goals and Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon made lively debuts, with Gordon providing assists after coming on as a second-half substitute.
- Match reports and local analysis said manager Hansi Flick used Raphinha in a false-nine role as a short-term way to cover the vacant centre-forward spot.
- Barcelona remain publicly focused on signing Julián Álvarez to replace departed forwards, but multiple reports say Atlético Madrid are reluctant to sell and the transfer looks difficult with the window closing on September 1.
- Gavi was replaced at half-time after a blow to his right knee and is set for tests, a developing fitness issue that could affect rotation and increases pressure to add forward depth before the deadline.