Barcelona have steadied themselves after a turbulent spell, responding to back-to-back defeats against PSG and Real Madrid with a commanding 6-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves at the Spotify Camp Nou. The result lifted them back to 30 points at the top of LaLiga, two points clear of Atletico Madrid, and gave Hansi Flick's squad the confidence boost they badly needed after their first league loss of the season in El Clasico.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both scored twice, while Fermin Lopez contributed a goal and two assists before half-time in a display that suggested the squad had rediscovered the relentless attacking identity that defined their opening eleven-game winning run. Flick made three changes from the Clasico defeat, including deploying Frenkie de Jong as a makeshift centre-back to cover a growing defensive injury crisis, with Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Jules Kounde all unavailable or doubtful.

Off the pitch, Fermin Lopez publicly rejected reported interest from Manchester United, pledging his long-term future to the club. Gabriel Jesus has also settled quickly since joining from Arsenal, contributing four goals and one assist across his first eight appearances. The fitness of captain Raphinha remains a concern, with Flick powerless to prevent the winger from travelling nearly 22,000 kilometres for Brazil's friendlies in Singapore during the upcoming international break. Barcelona now face Aston Villa in the Champions League on November 3, before a potentially decisive LaLiga trip to Atletico Madrid on November 8.