Barcelona midfielder Xavi has hailed coach Pep Guardiola's
attack-minded approach to Saturday's impressive victory at Real
Madrid, but warned the three points at the Bernabeu does not mean
the Primera Division title is already won.
Barca were worthy winners in El Clasico, goals from Lionel
Messi and Pedro handing the Catalans a three-point lead over their
arch-rivals at the top of the table - and a potentially decisive
superior head-to-head record.
Although they are in pole position, Spain international Xavi
is still preaching caution.
He said: "We have not done anything yet, we are not
champions.
"We have seven finals and know we cannot fail because Madrid
will not throw in the towel."
Xavi claims Guardiola was the mastermind behind the win
against Madrid.
"Everything depends on the coach you have, Guardiola has been
brave and under him we have always gone (to Madrid) to attack," he
added.
"Prior to that we went to the Bernabeu not to lose, and now
we're going to win, trying to apply our pattern of play."
Barca return to action this Wednesday with a home game
against a Deportivo La Coruna side whose European ambitions have
been hampered by a six-game winless run.
Real Madrid go to Almeria on Thursday with defender Sergio
Ramos insisting they won't give up on the title yet.
"We are going to keep fighting because it would be wrong to
throw in the towel. We will fight until the end," he said.
There are still plenty of other issues to play for with two
of the Champions League contenders, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao,
meeting at the Mestalla on Thursday.
Third-placed Valencia are five points ahead of Real Mallorca
and Sevilla, who occupy fourth and fifth respectively, with
Athletic a further three points back.
Athletic midfielder Carlos Gurpegui is wary of Valencia,
despite their recent indifferent form.
"We will do our best but we are going to face a very tough
game," he said.
"We hope to get ahead as if they do it will be tougher for us
as they are one of the best teams in Europe on the counter."
On Wednesday, Mallorca, 3-2 winners over Valencia on Sunday,
go to Real Zaragoza while Sevilla visit relegation-threatened Real
Valladolid on Tuesday.
Villarreal are seventh and will need a fine run to clinch a
top-four spot. They will look to claim all three points against
Getafe on Tuesday night.
The bottom three sides in the division are in danger of
getting cut adrift and require points quickly if they are to
survive.
In addition to second-bottom Valladolid's clash with Sevilla,
Xerez go to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday while Tenerife travel to
Sporting Gijon.
In other games, Osasuna host Malaga and Racing Santander meet
Espanyol.
