Xavi has warned his Barcelona players that now is not the time to lose focus after extending their lead at the top of La Liga to 11 points with a hard-fought victory at Villarreal on Sunday night.
Spanish midfielder Pedri scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute at El Madrigal to hand Barca their 11th straight win in all competitions. With Real Madrid away in Morocco winning the Fifa Club World Cup, Barcelona took full advantage to extend their lead over the defending league champions.
But Xavi has once again insisted that Real Madrid are still very much title contenders, saying in his post-match press conference: "It is not an insurmountable distance, there are 17 games left. I'm happy, we have a very good run of results, [it's] extraordinary. We are solid, serious, hardworking. These games are costly and it is one more example that the team is solid."
While praising his team's good run of form, the Barca manager was less pleased with their profligacy in front of goal against Villarreal.
"I saw many pre-goal options which did not materialise," Xavi said. "The last pass was missing, the decision making. When you don't do it, it's always the same - you suffer until the end. But we took three vital points for the fight for the league.
"We had more chances, that's enough to score more goals. The team isn't successful in shooting. We're an attacking team, even if we win by the minimum."
Xavi did reserve special praise for two of his players: defender Ronald Araujo and matchwinner Pedri.
After an "extraordinary" performance from Araujo, Xavi said: "The key is the confidence we give him, how he feels. He is happy and very important in the team. He is a complete player."
Barcelona player ratings v Villarreal
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7. Positioned himself well when Morales was free with only the German to beat. Fifteen clean sheets now in 21 La Liga games, of which Barcelona have won 18 and lost only one. That’s why they’re clear favourites to win the league. AFP
Jules Kounde – 7. Won possession for his team in the build-up to the first goal. Booked. Pushed into the middle and won everything in the air. AFP
Ronald Araujo – 9. Looking more settled than his ever-changing hair colour as he was stretched by a competent Villarreal forward line. Strong, fast, and celebrated a clearance from a Pina after 60 minutes which kept his side ahead. Booked. Reuters
Andreas Christensen – 8. The established partner to Araujo as Barca moved 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the league, having played a game more. Barca have conceded only seven goals in 21. AP
Alejandro Balde – 7. A revelation this season in which Barcelona have won their last five away games by a single goal at Valencia, Osasuna, Atletico, Girona, and Betis. And now at Villarreal. AP
Franck Kessie – 7. In for the injured Busquets, he was aggressive against Capoue. Ran over 11 kilometres before he was brought off after 88. Reuters
Pedri – 8. Early pass split the defence to set up Lewandowski. Then put his side ahead on 18, his sixth league goal of the season. Only Lewandowski has scored more. He’s been more offensive. Clever player. Man of the match. EPA
Frenkie De Jong – 8. Excellent. Pass forward was key to the first goal. Won the ball in the middle, beautiful passing range. Booked. Will play against the team who courted him last year. "We need to be at our best against Manchester United," said his manager Xavi. "We are in the best moment since my arrival right now.” Reuters
Gavi – 7. Key, brave, head-first player in the midfield four as Barcelona went 12 undefeated in front of 21,178 at the remodelled La Ceramica stadium. AP
Robert Lewandowski – 7. First chance of the night saved by Pepe Reina, then he assisted Pedri to put the Catalans ahead. Another shot at goal after 27. His combination with Pedri is effective. A threat until the end, shooting on target after 93. AFP
Raphinha – 7. Involved in the first goal, a fine team move. Went for goal himself with a 24th minute free-kick from distance. Shot wide after 60 after being set up by Lewandowski. Lively and set to keep his place in the side to play Manchester United as Dembele is injured. Booked. AFP
SUBS: Ferran Torres (Raphiniha 81’) – N/A; Jordi Alba (Kessie 88’) – N/A. Xavi's side made it 11 wins in a row in all competitions, equalling Pep Guardiola's best winning streak as Barca's manager. EPA
Pedri, meanwhile, is "an innate talent that gives us many things ... at a very high level," Xavi said.
Barcelona's attention now turns to continental competition and a Europa League knockout tie on Thursday against Premier League giants Manchester United, who are also on a good run of form.
Xavi believes Barca are facing United "almost at the best moment of the season" given their impressive unbeaten run. "Predicting things in a European match is difficult," he added. "We are excited to do a good job and get through the tie."
The first leg will take place at Camp Nou, with the reverse fixture at Old Trafford set for next Thursday, February 23.
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
