Barcelona tore Elche apart 5:0 and sent an immediate message to Madrid

The title defence in La Liga began the way only teams with no doubts about themselves begin - 5:0 against Elche. Raphinha opened from a penalty he won himself, then set up debutant Karim Adeyemi before the break. Anthony Gordon came off the bench and assisted twice, while Fermin Lopez, back from the injury that cost him the World Cup, finished with two goals. Elche hit the post in the 68th minute and that was that. Real Madrid laboured to a 2:1 against Espanyol the same evening, and Atletico only drew 2:2 with Villarreal. When the champion wipes out a rival without shifting into second gear, everyone else gets homework - not a result.

Ayoub Bouaddi joins Manchester City for 100 million euros - at 18

95 million euros plus five in bonuses for a player who is eighteen and signed until 2031 with an option for another year. That is what it costs today to try to replace Rodri. Lille wanted to keep him another season but gave way. Bouaddi played in Ligue 1 more as a midfielder covering the whole length of the pitch, and he caught the eye when Morocco's manager dropped him deeper at the World Cup - calm on the ball, strong in the tackle. City are gambling on potential and will pair him with Elliot Anderson. The question nobody in Manchester wants to ask out loud: how much time do you give an eighteen-year-old to fill a Ballon d'Or winner's boots? Enzo Maresca took over after ten years of Guardiola and has already lost the Community Shield to Arsenal.

Arsenal wait on Alvarez, Atletico soften the price to 150 million

Arsenal failed with Vinicius Junior and are now hunting another forward as the window closes. According to ESPN, the Londoners are ready to submit a bid for Julian Alvarez if they get a signal that a deal is possible at all. The problem is that the Argentine openly wants Barcelona, and Atletico spent months insisting they would not sell him to a direct rival. Now the Madrid side will take the call - from 150 million euros upwards. Alvarez has played in the Premier League before: 36 goals and 19 assists in 103 matches for Manchester City, and in Madrid he racked up 66 direct goal involvements in 107 games. When a club that "does not sell" suddenly names a number, that is not a change of principle - that is a price that has finally grown large enough.

Shkendija four from four: the derby with Struga fell in the 86th minute

The Tetovo side stay perfect in the Macedonian First Football League, and not against weak opposition but against direct rivals for the top. Two rounds ago they saw off Vardar 2:0, and now Struga Trim Lum 2:1. Nzengue scored in the 29th minute, and another of his goals was ruled out for offside. In the second half the referee awarded a penalty at each end - Maleski equalised in the 58th, and Ibraimi brought the three points in the 86th. Four wins from four rounds, top of the table. Macedonian football faces the same question again: what do we do when one club pulls clear this early, while the competition defends itself with VAR arguments instead of points?

Vardar back to winning: 4:1 against Sileks after two defeats and European elimination

The reigning champions desperately needed a result. After losses to Shkendija and Struga Trim Lum and the exit from Europe, every new match was turning into a test of nerves. Against Sileks the football was again not at the level anyone wanted, but this time the chances were taken. Young Danev scored right at the start, the Kratovo side equalised through Angjeleski for 1:1 at half-time, and the difference came from the substitutes - Manevski and Pires, then a stylish finish from Spahiu. A second win in four rounds for a team declared the best in the country three months ago. The win breaks the run, but it does not explain it - a distinction they know well in Skopje.