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Xavi rates Barcelona’s title hopes after Clasico win

Xavi Hernandez - FC Barcelona
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The 26-time La Liga winners sprung a sensational 4-0 win over league leaders Real Madrid at the weekend.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez wouldn’t rule out a late run for league glory on Sunday after watching his side thrash Real Madrid 4-0 in the Clasico.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace and further goals from Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres sealed a stunning victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It ended Barcelona’s six-match winless run against Real Madrid, extended their unbeaten La Liga run to 13 games, and moved them 12 points behind their table-topping rivals with a game in hand and 10 matches still to play.

Can Barca still win La Liga?

When Xavi took over in November, Barcelona were down in ninth in La Liga. Four months later, however, they’re up in third and just three points behind second-placed Sevilla – who they next face on April 3.

But while a second-place finish is doable, what about first?

“Very difficult,” Xavi said about Barcelona’s chances of overhauling Real Madrid to win La Liga.

“I think the same as yesterday. We’ve won, and also have the head-to-head advantage, which can be important, but it’s very difficult.

“Madrid only have three defeats in the league. And they have to lose three more. It’s difficult, but we won’t rule it out. We have to keep working hard. The first objective is to qualify for the Champions League.”

On the team’s performance itself, Xavi added: “It was a complete performance. We were much better than Madrid. We played almost like the home team at their ground. We could easily have scored five or six.”

As mentioned previously, Barcelona will next face Sevilla in La Liga on April 3 at Camp Nou after the international break.

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