Real are away to Barcelona in the La Liga clash on Sunday, as both sides fight for the La Liga title.

Barcelona were criticised despite getting the win over Real Madrid in the recent 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg win over Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid dominated possession, but Barca won the tie 1-0 – a recurring theme this season for the Blaugrana.

Xavi was also again forced to defend criticism of his side’s performance, and insisted that he’d prefer a 4-0 win, but accepts the 1-0 scoreline.

“What is it with the [insistence] on the 1-0?” Xavi said when asked if he would take the same result on Sunday.

“If I could choose, I prefer a 4-0 or a 5-4, but it’s hard to score goals.

“Those that have not played football at an elite level can’t understand what it’s like to have an opponent in front of you, especially Madrid, the Champions League holders. To beat them 1-0 is a fantastic result.

“One thing is the result and another thing is the style. We are never going to change the style. We will never shut up shop at the back. Another thing is if teams force us back or play through our pressing.

“But we are proactive, we are always going to press high. We want the ball and that idea will not change. And winning 1-0? Barca won their first European Cup 1-0 with goal from [Ronald] Koeman and no one said anything about the style, so I don’t know why now it’s such a big issue.”