Xavi
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez said winning Sunday's "El Clasico" in the Spanish capital is the only way his side can hold off Real Madrid's run to the LaLiga title - the only remaining major silverware Barca could win this season.
Champions Barcelona are determined not to let their crammed schedule get in the way of their bid to win back-to-back LaLiga titles even though they are third in the standings, coach Xavi Hernandez said ahead of Saturday's clash against Getafe.
Barca are third in the standings with 51 points from 24 matches, 10 behind leaders Real and five less than Girona, and Xavi is aware that anything other than a win against 17th-placed Celta on Saturday would make matters worse for his team.
Coach Xavi Hernandez has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2025 with an option for a further year, the LaLiga club said on Friday.
Champions Barca were dominating the match early on under the scorching heat of south Madrid, with Brazil winger Raphinha the main threat to the home side's defence by running the right channel and creating several opportunities.
"It will be a very difficult game, Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe today and they're showing it every game," Xavi told a news conference.
Barca have been using several mechanisms to increase their revenue in order to offset losses, reduce debt and fulfil LaLiga's financial fair play rules.
Barca, in second, are eight points clear of Betis, in fifth, and if they can extend that gap to 11 with three games left to play, their spot in the Champions League will be secure.
While Barca were expecting huge backing at the stadium ESPN reported there were close to 30,000 Eintracht fans among the 79,468 crowd.
The Clasico on Sunday will likely have very little bearing on the current season for either Barcelona or Real Madrid -- but it should set the tone for the next one.
Xavi Hernandez certainly benefited from those reduced expectations during the first few weeks of his tenure.
The Gabon international moved to Barcelona on a free transfer last month after terminating his contract with English Premier League club Arsenal..
The Catalans crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage with just two goals scored in six matches.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said that he had not seen the incident, but apologised for Araujo's actions.
Dembele has been left out of Xavi Hernandez's squad to face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Thursday night.
The deal comes despite severe financial difficulties at the club.
Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League following a 3-0 defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, failing to make it past the group stage of the competition.
Xavi Hernandez said former team mate Lionel Messi deserved his Ballon d'Or win, describing the Argentine's record-extending seventh victory as "total justice".
Depay calmly went around goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to score a dramatic 88th-minute goal that restored their lead.
New manager Xavi Hernandez will take charge of the team in the Catalonia derby against Espanyol on Saturday.
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