Barcelona supervisor Xavi Hernandez needs his facet to make an announcement on the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday, going through La Liga leaders and bitter rivals Real Madrid in a extremely anticipated Clasico.
The former Spain midfielder believes the sport is the perfect scenario to show what Barca can do, having recovered from a tough begin to the season.
“It's a litmus test to show how far we've come,” Xavi advised a press convention on Saturday, including there was no want for additional motivation in opposition to their fierce rivals.
“It's a spectacular setting to play a great game and show that we are in great shape. We grew up as a team. We have to show personality and try to impose our model of play.”
Real and Barca are on a 4-recreation profitable streak and are enjoying with a variety of confidence. But Real, with 66 factors from 28 video games, have a ten-level benefit over second-positioned Sevilla and are 15 factors forward of Barca in third.
With 11 matches to go, Xavi thinks making a late run for the title appears “far away, complicated and difficult”. But Sunday's assembly will permit him to see how a lot his crew has progressed since his arrival in mid-November.
“If we have to label a team as favorites it's Real Madrid, they are the leaders and in a great moment, but we are also going through a great dynamic,” stated Xavi.
“It's an ideal alternative to change historical past and a win would drastically assist what we're engaged on. You have to be courageous, attempt to impose your model and be calm.
Barca had fallen to ninth within the desk when Ronald Koeman was sacked, however Xavi revitalized them and they're unbeaten since shedding additional time to Athletic Bilbao within the Copa del Rey on January 20, having scored 20 targets of their final six video games. league matches.
They will face a Real facet who will miss their star striker and La Liga high scorer Karim Benzema who is recovering from a calf damage.
“Benzema has been playing for two or three years as one of the best strikers in the world. It's a very big loss for them but for us it doesn't change anything,” stated Xavi.
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