Xavi makes big claim as Barcelona lead Real Madrid

When Real Madrid outplayed Barcelona on their way to a 3-1 victory in the El Clasico not even a month ago, and when the Catalan giants were eliminated from the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the second straight season, not many people would have thought that they could go into the World Cup break as the league leaders. Yet, that is exactly what has happened.

Real Madrid’s form has taken a sudden and unexpected downturn. A draw against Girona and a defeat against Rayo Vallecano in back-to-back league games has seen them drop five points. On the other hand, Barcelona have continued to win in La Liga, despite of their struggles in Europe and now find themselves five points ahead of their rivals, having played a game more.

Real Madrid have a game in hand, that will be against Cadiz, before the World Cup break begins. That means that Barcelona will finish this half of the season on top, no matter what happens on that day.

Xavi, whose place at the club was being questioned even a few weeks ago, is without doubt a happy man at the moment and appears to be getting confident. As reported by SPORT, he said after Barcelona’s comeback victory over Osasuna:

"“We have grown, we are a family, a block, a spectacular dressing room, with the desire to win and that is how it shows. I am proud. Now we have five points over second-placed Madrid, and we are leaders before the World Cup break.”"

Xavi makes big claim as Barcelona take five point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga

It is safe to say that the pressure is now on Carlo Ancelotti’s side, as the game against Cadiz has become a bit of a must win situation.

Of course, there is a lot of football to be played and a lot of time is left to turn things around, but if they go into the World Cup break five or four points behind Barcelona, it would be a major psychological blow for the players. And who knows in what shape they will be after the tournament.

Injuries have been a major reason behind Real Madrid’s downturn in form, with them not having the deepest squad. Let’s just hope that they can get a win against Cadiz, and return after the World Cup break intent on defeating Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title.