• Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski (C) and teammates attend a training session at the Joan Gamper ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on the eve of the clasico against Real Madrid. AFP
    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski (C) and teammates attend a training session at the Joan Gamper ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on the eve of the clasico against Real Madrid. AFP
  • Ansu Fati and defender Jordi Alba. EPA
    Ansu Fati and defender Jordi Alba. EPA
  • Spanish defender Gerard Pique. AFP
    Spanish defender Gerard Pique. AFP
  • Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen goes through a stretching routine. EPA
    Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen goes through a stretching routine. EPA
  • Jules Kounde and Marcos Alonso in action. AFP
    Jules Kounde and Marcos Alonso in action. AFP
  • Defender Jules Kounde takes part in the training session. EPA
    Defender Jules Kounde takes part in the training session. EPA
  • Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski prepare to face Real Madrid. AFP
    Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski prepare to face Real Madrid. AFP
  • Barca's French forward Ousmane Dembele gestures during the training session. AFP
    Barca's French forward Ousmane Dembele gestures during the training session. AFP
  • Defender Gerard Pique (2L) and coach Xavi prepare for the clasico. AFP
    Defender Gerard Pique (2L) and coach Xavi prepare for the clasico. AFP
  • Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele during training. EPA
    Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele during training. EPA
  • Barcelona's coach Xavi Hernandez leads the training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA
    Barcelona's coach Xavi Hernandez leads the training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA
  • Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski prepares for his first clasico against Real Madrid with a training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA
    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski prepares for his first clasico against Real Madrid with a training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA
  • FC Barcelona's striker Robert Lewandowski takes part in a training session held at Joan Garper Sports City in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 15 October 2022. FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid in a Spanish LaLiga soccer match on 16 October. EPA / Alejandro Garcia
    FC Barcelona's striker Robert Lewandowski takes part in a training session held at Joan Garper Sports City in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 15 October 2022. FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid in a Spanish LaLiga soccer match on 16 October. EPA / Alejandro Garcia
  • Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez talks to midfielder Sergio Busquets. EPA
    Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez talks to midfielder Sergio Busquets. EPA
  • Jules Kounde in action. AFP
    Jules Kounde in action. AFP
  • Barcelona players prepare for the clasico. AFP
    Barcelona players prepare for the clasico. AFP
  • Barcelona's Spanish forward Ansu Fati and Brazilian forward Raphinha. AFP
    Barcelona's Spanish forward Ansu Fati and Brazilian forward Raphinha. AFP
  • Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski stands with his family before the training session. AFP
    Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski stands with his family before the training session. AFP
  • Pedri, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski during training. AFP
    Pedri, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski during training. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski arrives at a training session. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski arrives at a training session. AFP
  • Barcelona coach Xavi addresses a press conference on the eve of the clasico. AFP
    Barcelona coach Xavi addresses a press conference on the eve of the clasico. AFP

Xavi urges Barcelona to 'leave past behind' as players train for Real Madrid - in pictures


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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez believes Sunday's clasico against Real Madrid is an "opportunity" for his players to bounce back from their Champions League struggles and cement top spot in La Liga.

Barca are enjoying a strong start to the league season having won seven and drawing one of their opening eight games to share top spot with Real Madrid, who hold the same record.

However, Barcelona's European form has been less convincing after winning just one of their four games to face elimination from the group stage for a second successive year.

Xavi is keen for his team to set aside their Champions League disappointment and use Sunday's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu as a chance to bounce back.

"I'm always an optimist and I see this game as a great opportunity for us. We are the (Liga) leaders and we want to continue to be as of Sunday," Xavi told a news conference.

"We want to leave the past behind. If we are positive, everything will be fine."

Barcelona, who have been struggling with several injuries, do have some positive team news after Xavi confirmed French defender Jules Kounde is set to return after missing recent matches with a hamstring injury.

"He is very well, 100 per cent and happy," Xavi said. "His feelings are very good. He has trained very hard and is available for Sunday."

Indeed, Kounde was among the Barcelona players who took part in the final training session at the club's Joan Gamper training ground on Saturday ahead of the clasico. Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice to earn Barca a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday, also went through his paces alongside the likes of Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

Check out the best photos from the training session in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Updated: October 16, 2022, 4:15 AM