Xavi has suggested that the manner of Barcelona's victory over Real Madrid on Sunday evening could have long-term ramifications for the future of La Liga.
Not so long ago, the Catalan side were seemingly struggling to secure Champions League football for next season, but their 4-0 success at the Santiago Bernabeu was their fifth successive win and strengthened their hold of third spot in the standings.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened and concluded the scoring, with Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres netting either side of half time, and Xavi feels that the ruthlessness of his team has sent a message to their rivals.
Speaking after the game, Xavi said: "We're very happy, very satisfied for all the Barca supporters. The meaning of this victory, I think it can change, more or less, the dynamics of the present and also of the future. That's the first thing I want to say.
"As far as the game, we had understood that [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos were out, and we looked for the backs of the interior players of Real Madrid. [David] Alaba was also jumping on Frenkie [de Jong], and then Ousmane [Dembele] was one against one. We have shown a lot of personality. I asked the players, I told them it was a game to have a lot of personality, to be bold, not to lose the ball."
Barcelona return to action after the international break with a showdown against Sevilla knowing that victory will move the club into second position on goal difference.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic