Xavi says Barcelona 'candidates to win this league' after statement victory at Atletico

Dembele's strike sent Barca three points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid falter against Villarreal

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, second from right, celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, January 8, 2023. AP Photo

Atletico Madrid's Reinildo Mandava, left, and Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembeleruns with the ball. AFP

FC Barcelona's striker Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 January 2023. EPA / Rodrigo Jimenez

Ousmane Dembele celebrates his goal. Getty Images

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann reacts after a challenge. AP Photo

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is challenged by Ronald Araujo of Barcelona. Getty Images

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, centre, makes a save. AP Photo

Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, top, and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Atletico Madrid's Stefan Savic, right, and Barcelona's Ansu Fati challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Barcelona's Spanish forward Ferran Torres fights with Atletico Madrid's Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic. Both were sent off in second-half injury time. AFP

Barcelona substitute Ferran Torres is sent off. EPA

Barcelona boss Xavi said Sunday's victory at Atletico Madrid showed the Catalans are capable of winning La Liga as Ousmane Dembele's strike took them three points clear at the top of the table.

Capitalising on champions Real Madrid's defeat to Villarreal 24 hours earlier, Barcelona set out to claim a statement victory over Atletico at the Metropolitano.

French forward Dembele finished off a slick team move on 22 minutes but Barca were forced to cling on as Atletico ramped up the pressure, with the superb Ronald Araujo clearing off the line from Antoine Griezmann at the death.

Both teams finished with 10 men after Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic were sent off for brawling with each other on the floor as tempers soured.

"It's a win, but it's not just three points. It gives us morale and confidence for what's left of the league," Xavi told reporters. "We are capable of winning at place as tough as this, suffering, being a family.

"We knew how to suffer and we take three golden points. It's a real statement that we are candidates to win this league."

Missing the suspended Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona once again had to rely on a defence that has conceded just six goals in 16 Liga matches.

Griezmann forced Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a superb save as the pink-haired Frenchman looked to exert his influence over his former side.

Griezmann might have snatched a point but for Araujo's crucial clearance on the line.

Barcelona ratings

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 - First save wasn’t until the 45th minute, from a Griezmann shot. Vital block off the line in 95th minute as the home side pushed for an equaliser. Yet another clean sheet. AP Photo

Alejandro Balde, 7 - Apart from losing possession a couple of times, another mature performance from the young full-back against a side described by Xavi as ‘chameleons’ – as in they can adapt to any circumstances. They struggled to adapt to Barcelona. AFP

Ronald Araujo, 8 - Tucked his arm in before an Atletico shot hit it amid appeals for a penalty on 32 minutes. Booked as his side took advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat at Villarreal to move to the top of the table. Super goal line clearance in injury time. AP Photo

Andreas Christensen, 8 - Part of a defence that kept another clean sheet in La Liga. Booked for a late block on Greizmann. Excellent. AFP

Jules Kounde , 8 - Got Christensen out of an early problem and linked well with Dembele on the right. Kept Joao Felix quiet, which isn’t easy. AFP

Frenkie de Jong , 6 - Helped Barça control the game with 60 per cent possession to get their first win at Atletico in three years. Surprisingly brought off after 67 minutes and he didn’t look delighted with the decision. EPA

Sergio Busquets, 7 - Early clash with Savic and a couple of battles with his pink-haired former teammate Griezmann. A few poor passes as Barça sat back and protected their lead without playing well. But what a win. AFP

Gavi, 7 - Tenacious as ever as he held his opponent off, spun and set up Dembele for Barca's goal. Helped the Catalans dominate possession. Battled with his Spain teammate Koke. AFP

Pedri, 7 - Incredible run before the first goal. Should have made it two a minute later, but his shot was blocked by Molina. AFP

Ousmane Dembele, 7 - Side-footed home on 21 minutes to cap a wonderful team goal. Always a danger – and the Catalans only real attacking threat, especially on the counter-attack. Getty Images

Ansu Fati, 5 - Started with 23-goal top scorer Lewandowski serving a three-game ban, but he had a quiet game and was the first player to be brought off. Has to do much more to keep his place in the side. EPA

SUBS: Franck Kessie, 5 - On for De Jong after 58 minutes and straight into his position. Slack in possession. AP Photo

Ferran Torres, 5 - On for Fati after 58 minutes. Put the ball in the net but he was offside. Sent off after 91 minutes after grappling with Savic. Will be suspended AFP

Raphinha, 5 - On for Gavi on 73 minutes. Booked for refusing to go off the pitch after a head injury. Getty Images

Sergi Roberto, N/A - On for Busquets after 81 minutes and straight into that holding midfield role. EPA

Marcos Alonso N/A - On for Balde after 81 minutes as Xavi used all five subs – and recorded a fine result without Lewandowksi. Getty Images

Barcelona only mustered two shots on target and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak said his side deserved more.

"We had a good game, apart from the first 25 minutes," Oblak told DAZN. "We pressed well, we had chances, but lacked a bit of luck to score."

"We started badly, the first 25 minutes we had little confidence, and later we woke up, but at 1-0 down it's already harder."

Defeat means Atletico languish in fifth, 14 points behind leaders Barcelona.

"It's not a worrying situation but it is one that we have to deal with," Simeone told reporters.

"The reality is that we lost. It's true the team had the merit to take away another result, that didn't happen because we didn't put it away. What happens in the boxes is crucial."