Rival watch: FC Barcelona continue perfect run as next opponents Sporting get a point

Two own goals at Montilivi set Barça on their way to victory over Girona, with Luis Suárez adding a third to keep the Blaugrana top of the La Liga table with maximum points from their opening six games. Ernesto Valverde was able to rotate his squad and rest key players for the Champions League game against Sporting.

Sporting still unbeaten

Two points behind leaders Porto and three ahead of Benfica, Sporting are still unbeaten in all competitions in 2017/18, winning eight and drawing three. Mohamed Aberhoune grabbed a 61st minute equaliser against Moreirense on Saturday after Rafael Costa had given the hosts the lead.

Barça's other Champions League opponents both won. Olympiacos beat Asteras Tripolis 2-1 in the Greek Cup with all of the goals coming in the second half, while Juventus thrashed Torino 4-0 in Serie A, Paulo Dybala with two, and one apiece from Miralem Pjanic and Alex Sandro

Leganés take all three points at Las Palmas

Despite fielding an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, the Canary Islanders were toothless up front against visitors Leganés. Though no goals were scored in the first half, it was still a lively encounter, and it sprang into life two minutes after the break when Claudio Beauvue put Leganes into the lead. As Las Palmas looked for a late equaliser, Javier Eraso fired home in the 95th minute to ensure all three points for his side.

Chasing group packed closely together

It couldn’t be tighter for the challengers to Barça’s early season dominance. Just three points separate Atlético Madrid in second, to Real Madrid in fourth, with Sevilla the meat in their sandwich.

Los Blancos had Dani Ceballos to thank for their win at Alavés, the midfielder scoring a double on his first start, either side of a bullet header from Manu Garcia. Sevilla were unbeaten heading into their clash with Atlético, but a sloppy back pass from Steven N’Zonzi allowed Yannick Carrasco to fire the Rojiblancos ahead right after half time.

Antoine Griezmann cooly dispatched the second with 20 left to play to seal the points for Diego Simeone’s side.