Barcelona's Xavi: Only we can lose LaLiga after Clasico win

Xavi Hernandez says LaLiga is Barcelona's to lose after they beat Real Madrid 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday to move 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Franck Kessie came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Barca after Madrid's Marco Asensio had seen a late goal ruled out by VAR for offside on a dramatic day in the title race.

— Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) — Marsden: Barcelona's Clasico win sure to decide LaLiga

With just 12 games left to play, Barca now find themselves in a commanding position as they chase a first league title since 2019, although Xavi insists they cannot relax.

«It's not definitive, I don't feel like we are champions yet, but it's a huge step forward,» Xavi said in a news conference after the game.

«I am happy because [the lead is] 12 points with 12 games left, but it's not over. Only we can lose LaLiga, so we cannot switch off. We cannot relax. There are still a lot of games to go.»

Barca have now won three matches in a row against Madrid in all competitions, something they had not achieved since 2011-12 when Pep Guardiola, who attended Sunday's game, was in charge.

It represents a remarkable turnaround since Xavi took over 18 months ago. Barca were ninth in the league at the time but eventually finished second and are well-placed to go one better this season.

«I don't think enough value is given to what the players are doing,» Xavi added. «We have only dropped 10 points in LaLiga. I don't think that is spoken about enough. They have been extraordinary.

»Look at where we are coming from. Last season, we [finished 13] points behind. We were even three behind when we lost the Clasico [this season] in October — that's a 15-point swing since then."

A Ronald Araujo own