Barcelona manager Xavi has said the club "have the capacity to win all the titles we have left" but insisted Real Madrid remain favourites for La Liga, despite his team opening up an eight-point lead at the top.
Barca continued their unbeaten start to the year with an impressive 3-0 La Liga win over Sevilla at Camp Nou on Sunday, Jordi Alba, Gavi, and Raphinha scoring the goals in the second half. Combined with Real Madrid's shock 1-0 defeat at Mallorca on Saturday, Barcelona now hold a commanding lead at the top of the standings as the Catalans aim to win their first title since 2019.
"We look at both the points difference and the performance today as a sign we are in a moment of great confidence," Xavi said. "It was a key match because the teams below had lost.
"Real Madrid are eight points behind us and although it's still early days, it's an important distance. We always think about where we come from and now we are in a privileged situation.
"We like being leaders, having this advantage and the good feeling the team is giving us. We've played two very good games this week and that gives us a lot of confidence."
Despite Barcelona's commanding position in La Liga and Real Madrid's comparative struggles – the champions have lost two and drawn one of five league games in 2023 – Xavi warned that there is no room for complacency and that their rivals should not be taken lightly.
Barcelona ratings
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BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 7. His ninth season at Camp Nou and his best so far. Main reason Barcelona have only conceded six goals in 19 games. Fifteen clean sheets from 20 league games now and a relatively easy night for him. Getty -
Jordi Alba - 9. With Balde sick and only making the bench, Alba started in the league for the first time this year and became captain after four minutes. Attacked. Crossed to Lewandowski on 52, then scored his first goal of the season, side-footing a Kessie ball in. Crossed for the third. AFP -
Andreas Christensen - 7. Getting better all the time. Peerless in the air and solid again. Another clean sheet as Barca capitalised on Real Madrid losing at Mallorca to go eight points clear. EPA -
Ronald Araujo - 7. Badly tackled on the ankle in the first half. Not as involved as Christensen alongside him, but he did manage a shot. Getty -
Jules Kounde - 7. Playing against his former club, he hit several crosses as Barcelona struggled to get a breakthrough. Ball over the top to Raphinha before the second. AP -
Frenkie de Jong - 8. Playing well. Headed wide in front of the 77,987 crowd after 15 minutes. Lofted ball forward to Alba led to the third. "We have found the right position for Frenkie de Jong,” said Xavi. “He’s very happy." Reuters -
Sergio Busquets - N/A. Limped off after four minutes shaking his head after a poor challenge. A sprained ankle. All at Barcelona will be hoping it doesn’t keep him out for long, with two games against Manchester United approaching. AFP -
Pedri - 7. Poor night by his own stellar standards as he failed to control the game and lost possession. Quick closing Sevilla down during the rare occasions when they had possession and better in the second half – like his team. AP -
Gavi - 8. Initially most advanced of the four midfielders in a new system used by Xavi Hernandez, but dropped back when Busquets went off. Needed to add goals to his game – and he did that by finishing the best move of the game for Barca’s second and his first of the season. Getty -
Robert Lewandowski - 7. Got a shot on target after 15. Chances limited against a back five, but super 27th minute shot was well saved. Six shots – but no goals for the top scorer.EPA -
Raphinha - 8. Headed the ball straight into the arms of Bounou after 55. Involved in the opening goal, then set up the second with the best ball of the game after 71 to Gavi. Scored the third, similar to the second with a ball across goal. “He gives us a lot, and he's an essential player for the team,” said Xavi. EPA -
SUBS: Franck Kessie - 8 (Busquets, 7'). Unselfish and dropped his shoulder on 20 to beat a man and run at goal, then he released the ball instead of shooting. Lovely control to spot a run and set up Alba for the first goal and involved in excellent build up for the second. EPA -
Ansu Fati (Gavi, 80') - N/A. Marcos Alonso (Araujo, 80') - N/A. Reuters -
Alejandro Balde (Alba, 83') - N/A. Ferran Torres (Raphinha, 83') - N/A. Getty
"I don't know if we're the most reliable team in the league. We are in a good moment, but this changes," he said. "We can't relax. This is a long race and we have to keep working with humility. The team is buying into the message. We are building something very good, but nothing has been won. Only the Super Cup. We are hungry.
"Madrid can beat any team and they still have to come to Camp Nou. Next matchday we go to a ground where Madrid lost (Villarrreal). Every game is going to be a war and it's not over yet. I don't see us as more of a favourite, but more of a candidate. The favourites are still Real Madrid, who are the current champions of La Liga and the Champions League."
After a disappointing Champions League campaign saw them finish third in their group, Barca are also fighting for silverware in the Europa League, where they face Manchester United in the first knockout round next Thursday.
"We have the capacity to win all the titles we have left, but we have to prove it on the pitch," Xavi said. "Euphoria is fine, but it has to be curbed."
Xavi also reserved special praise for Raphinha after the Brazilian winger's key contribution in the victory against Sevilla. Raphinha, signed last summer in a big-money move from Leeds United, has been in and out of the team during his debut season but has excelled since the turn of the year. His assist and goal against Sevilla took his tally to eight goal involvements – four goals and four assists – in 2023.
“As for Raphinha, he was intense, he attacked spaces, and gave us key things in attack and he is doing decisive things," Xavi said. “Now it seems to me that he stands out more as he is an extraordinary player.”
