Barcelona sizzles, PSG simmers and Spurs struggle: The story of Europe's top leagues this season – ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Barcelona sizzles, PSG simmers and Spurs struggle: The story of Europe’s top leagues this season  ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

A few early-season, post-World Cup themes are already developing across Europe's top leagues ahead of a three-week break for international matches Just as Europe's top soccer leagues are really hitting their stride, here comes a longer-than-usual break — three weeks! — for international matches. A few early-season, post-World Cup themes are already developing, however, around the continent. It was the transfer saga of the summer: Would Argentina striker Julián Álvarez get his wish and secure a move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid? It never happened, leaving Barca without a world-class striker in its squad while bidding to retain the La Liga and win the Champion League for the first time in more than a decade.

With 31 goals in seven straight league wins — that’s an average of 4.3 goals per match — Barcelona has the hottest attack in Europe, with Raphinha scoring 12 of the goals including back-to-back hat tricks. The Brazil international typically plays as a winger but has been deployed in a central role following the departures of Robert Lewandowski ( out of contract ) and Ferran Torres ( sold to Paris Saint-Germain ), and is thriving. Making the start of the season all the sweeter for Barca is some early troubles for the returning José Mourinho at fierce rival Real Madrid, which has lost twice and