Five of the 12 Super League founder clubs lie outside the Champions League qualifying places as domestic soccer pauses for the international break with surprise title challengers across Europe.

Barcelona and Juventus — who are helping lead a legal challenge by Super League members against UEFA — would not even qualify for European competition from their current standings of ninth and eighth, respectively, as they adjust to life without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spain called up Brais Méndez to replace the injured Yéremy Pino ahead of decisive World Cup qualifiers.

Pino was the third player dropped from the squad because of injuries before matches at Greece and against Sweden in Group B of European qualifying.

After just 11 games, Bayern Munich is already closing in on a record-extending 10th consecutive Bundesliga title.

There are still 23 matches to play, but a lack of realistic rivals means this season's title race is a one-team procession.

Thousands of fans arrived at the Camp Nou to welcome Xavi Hernández as Barcelona's new coach on Monday, hoping he can turn the club's fortunes around after a dismal start to its first season post-Lionel Messi.

Xavi, who thrived in Barcelona's side for several years when Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi was also in the same team, was officially introduced at a reception usually offered only to top players. Supporters chanted his name and waved club flags in the stands.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has lost another two midfielders ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Friday.

Mancini, who was already without regular starter Marco Verratti through injury, said on Monday that Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini would return to their club Roma.

A late push moved Real Sociedad back to first place in the Spanish league. A late collapse kept Atlético Madrid from getting closer to the top.

Atlético conceded twice in stoppage time in a 3-3 draw at Valencia on Sunday, while Sociedad scored twice in the final 20 minutes in a 2-0 win at Osasuna.

Inter Milan was the more disappointed side after the Milan derby match ended in a 1-1 draw, despite AC Milan being the team that missed out on taking the outright lead of Serie A on Sunday.

Former Milan midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted a penalty for Inter in the 11th minute -- and celebrated fiercely against the club he left in June on a free transfer after four years. Milan leveled thanks to an own-goal by defender Stefan de Vrij shortly after, and Inter also had a penalty saved in a high-tempo first half.

The day after ensuring he finishes No. 1 for a record seventh year, Novak Djokovic beat No. 2 Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the Paris Masters final on Sunday for a record 37th Masters title.

Djokovic moved one clear of fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal for Masters trophies, and nine ahead of Roger Federer, the other tennis great with 20 majors.

Xavi Hernández, the player who personified the attacking style popularized by Barcelona and Spain's national team, is close to returning to Camp Nou as coach.

Xavi's current employer, Qatari club Al-Sadd, said Friday that the former midfielder would be freed from his coaching contract once his release clause is paid. His current contract runs into 2023.

Germany coach Hansi Flick recalled midfielders Julian Draxler and Julian Brandt on Friday for upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Liechtenstein and Armenia.

The most recent of Draxler's 56 games for Germany was in October 2020 in a 3-3 draw with Switzerland under previous coach Joachim Löw. Brandt last played for his country in November 2020 in a 3-1 victory win over Ukraine.