Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed that he watched the Madrid derby on Sunday, and said he was impressed by Atletico Madrid’s performance.

Atletico won the tie 3-1, and it was Real Madrid’s first defeat of the season in all competitions.

Xavi said: “I did see the Madrid derby and it was a great match, especially for Atlético, with intensity and generosity in their work. It was a great football match, with a very favourable result for Atlético, it was a very important victory for them.

“I saw a very strong Atlético, simply, and their victory was deserved.”

Asked about Real coach Carlo Ancelotti’s questioned tactical decisions, Xavi replied: “I don’t want to get involved in anything about Madrid or Ancelotti, whether he was wrong or not.

“I always see Madrid as strong and like each team has strengths and weaknesses. We will analyse it like any other team and we do not give it more importance. Now we give importance to Mallorca. When we play against Madrid, we will talk about it, but now we have not analysed it.”