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• Raphinha hails Barcelona after statement win over Valladolid

  Barcelona forward Raphinha believes the team have laid down a statement of their intent by starting the season with four straight wins in LaLiga.

  Raphinha scored the first hat-trick of his career and also delivered two assists on Saturday, as Barca crushed Real Valladolid 7-0 at Camp Nou.

  Hansi Flick's side already possess a four-point cushion at the top of the table after also recording victories over Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano.

  Raphinha believes their results have demonstrated the club got things right in the transfer market, telling Movistar: "Today's game has shown that there is no need for anyone else to come. We are very happy because of that.

  "We are in very good shape. The team is working hard. Today's result shows what we are working for. 

  "We saw that the coach was on the sidelines asking for more goals and that's our mentality.

  "We are hungry and want to score as many goals as we can. When we are dominant like we have been, the best way to respect our rivals is not taking the foot off the gas."

  Raphinha was one of the players who faced criticism during Barca's trophyless 2023-24 campaign and was rumoured to be on his way out ahead of the new season.

  The Blaugrana again battled financial restrictions throughout the window, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to leave in order to secure the registration of new arrival Dani Olmo.

  With his future now certain, Raphinha is keen to nail down a starting spot and contribute on a regular basis.

  "I don't know if today's was my best game, but it's certainly among my best. I will try to play even better and as much as I can," the Brazilian said.

  "I'm very happy to be able to help the team. I feel good. I knew that this season would be very important for me. I'm looking for my best version to help my team-mates and be more confident."

• Lazio 2-2 Milan: Leao salvages draw but Rossoneri still winless

  Rafael Leao came off the bench to earn Milan a 2-2 draw with Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, but Paulo Fonseca's side are still without a Serie A win this season.

  Milan were in front at the break through Strahinja Pavlovic's eighth-minute goal, the Serbian rising highest to power home a header from Christian Pulisic's corner.

  However, Lazio hit back in the second half with Valentin Castellanos and Boulaye Dia scoring in quick succession.

  Nuno Tavares' first-time ball into the centre was met by the unmarked Castellanos to level in the 62nd minute, then Dia tapped another Tavares cutback home to put the Biancocelesti ahead four minutes later.

  Fonseca reacted by sending on four substitutes, and those changes had a swift impact as three of them combined for the leveller. 

  Theo Hernandez – who joined Leao in being dropped from the start – picked out Tammy Abraham, and his lay-off allowed Leao to escape Tavares to fire past Ivan Provedel.

  The game was preceded by an emotional tribute to the man who led Lazio to their last league title, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who died at the age of 76 on Monday.

  A Lazio shirt bearing the Swede's name was displayed on the home bench, while a banner held up by the home fans read: "You brought us to the top of the world... Have a good trip Mr. Sven."

  Data Debrief: Milan's slow start continues

  New Milan boss Fonseca is already under pressure after overseeing a return of two points from his first three league games at the helm.

  It is the first time the Rossoneri have drawn two of their opening three matches in a Serie A season since 2011-12, when they also drew two and lost one, 

  They went on to finish second that season, just four points adrift of champions Juventus. If a title challenge is to take place this term, rapid improvements are needed. 

• Frank praises Brentford's pressing, sees no tactical revamp with Toney departure

  Thomas Frank heaped praise on Brentford's pressing following their 3-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday.

  Bryan Mbeumo scored twice from Brentford's forwards forcing the Southampton backline into errors as the Bees earned their second Premier League win of the season.

  This did not go unnoticed by Frank, who believes his side rank as one of the best in the league when it comes to that specific aspect.

  He told BBC Sport: "They made errors because we pressed them unbelievably well. I think we are one of the best teams to do the high pressure in the Premier League.

  "The players are so committed and that is the reason why we capitalised on errors from Southampton.”

  Despite the departure of Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli, Frank does not think their style of play will have to be restructured too much, with both Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa enjoying productive starts to the season in his absence.

  Frank said: “Ivan is a fantastic player, I'd love to have him in the team but he has his own journey and is going elsewhere.

  "Our style of play hasn't changed. Wissa and Ivan are different players but the style doesn't change.”

  Southampton boss Russell Martin was frustrated with his side’s mistakes at crucial moments, believing their performance was far better than the scoreline suggested.

  He said to the BBC: “We made two mistakes that we were punished for, which is frustrating and disappointing.

  "I saw lots of good things to feel positive about. I feel a lot better this week than I did after the Nottingham Forest game.”