Barcelona boss Xavi hailed his side's defensive effort as a resolute rearguard kept Real Madrid at bay and came away from the Bernabeu with a 1-0 win to hand the Catalans the advantage in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
A depleted Barca secured victory courtesy of an Eder Militao own goal and halted. mini slum that saw them eliminated from the Europa League and lose to lowly Almeria over the past week.
"We were extraordinary defending without the ball," said Xavi after the clasico win.
"Defending is part of the game, that's why the win is very important, it was a tremendous victory. Today we minimised Madrid."
Real had more possession and Xavi said that was not his gameplan.
"They pushed us into our own half a lot, they subdued us with the ball," he added.
"It's not the percentage of possession we're looking for. We need to play with the ball because otherwise we won't control games."
Barca ratings v Real Madrid
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BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 8 - Good hands at the near post to stop a Vinicius effort and alert to stop several dangerous Madrid crosses, yet Madrid didn’t have a single effort on target. Faultless performance and a clean sheet at the Bernabéu. AP Photo -
Ronald Araujo 8 - Again moved to right-back because of his pace. Blocked Vinicius early on as the Brazilian was a threat down the left. The duels between the two continued throughout, but one was a winner – both in that battle and for his team. -
Jules Kounde 7 - Did well to come across and stop Modric shooting on target after just 25 seconds. Found it difficult against Camavinga too. EPA -
Marcos Alonso 7 - Challenged by Vinicius but held up well in the face of waves of Madrid attacks as Barça won the first of three derbies in a month. EPA -
Alejandro Balde 8 - The Catalans’ defence was very well organised. Balde’s performance was a mature one with no mistakes as the team with a record 31 cup wins and eight final appearances in the last decade head into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage. AP Photo -
Sergio Busquets 7 - His 46th clasico game, surpassing Lionel Messi record and Sergio Ramos’ record. Saw little of the ball as Madrid dominated early exchanges and had 64 per cent of possession overall without much genuine end product. His concentration was partly responsible. AFP -
Franck Kessie 8 - Improving. Stumbled towards the Madrid goal with after 25 minutes – and it went in off Madrid’s Militao. A 71st minute shot was going in for a second – but Barça substitute Ansu Fati stopped the ball. Kessie couldn’t believe it. Booked. AFP -
Gavi 7 - Busy as ever in a game lacking the quality normally associated with el clasico. Crashed into Camavinga on 29 minutes in a tetchy period of play. Booked for another tussle with the same player. AFP -
Frenkie de Jong 7 - Early tussle with Vinicius saw the Madrid player booked. Valverde was also booked for a foul on the Dutchman, but it was Barça’s fighting display – without key players – which won the game. Always excellent on the ball. AP Photo -
Raphinha 5 - Offside, but didn’t interfere with the move for Barcelona’s opening goal. Too easy to dispossess. Booked on 44 minutes but difficult for him with little service and without Lewandowski to link with. AFP -
Ferran Torres 5 - Tough task as Madrid had so much possession, the striker had to work hard to be an outlet for his side when they got the ball. AP Photo -
Ansu Fati 5 - Managed to turn a shot – and almost certainly a goal - from Kessie away from goal on 71 minutes. EPA -
Sergi Roberto N/A - On for Kessie late on as Barça sort to hold onto their lead. They did. Getty Images
Barca resume their La Liga title push on Sunday when they host a Valencia side fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Win over Real was secured without the services of top scorer Robert Lewandowski and key creators Pedri and Ousmane Dembele.
With few options in the squad for Xavi to rotate with, his first-choice players will have to battle tiredness against a rested Valencia.
Valencia earned their first victory under new coach Ruben Baraja last weekend against high-flying Real Sociedad and sit 18th, one point below safety.
Against Valencia and back at Camp Nou, Xavi's side will likely have more of the ball but Valencia boast plenty of attacking threat on the counter, including in-form winger Samuel Lino.
Barcelona hold a seven-point lead on second-placed Real Madrid going into the weekend.
Valencia midfielder Hugo Guillamon said his team were heading north aiming for three points.
"We will go there with clear ideas of what we have to do to get the win and the team will work hard this week to have a good game," Guillamon told Valencia's website.
"Barcelona have a lot of absentees but with the squad they have they can make changes and play at a very high level.
"It will be a tough game for us, but we will make it tough for them too."
Should Barcelona take three points it will confirm Xavi's side are back on track, but any other result will give Real Madrid the opportunity to further reduce their lead later Sunday against Real Betis.
