Barcelona will visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to play Real Madrid.

It’s yet another El Clasico game, but this tie could ultimately decide the La Liga this season.

Real Madrid are eight points clear of Barcelona who are in second place, with seven games left of the season. Anything less than a win will end Barcelona’s title chances.

Xavi has now tagged the game as Barcelona’s most important this season.

“Tomorrow we have the chance to get back into La Liga. It happens to be the most important game of the season. We will find a strong Madrid and even more so after eliminating the best team in the world, City,” Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

“The euphoria will be sky high and the opposition will be very strong. Today we trained well, yesterday we had a Champions League hangover. The team has all the enthusiasm in the world to fight for this league.

“Madrid had to defend against City, who are the best team in the world today. They had to defend and they defended very well. These are situations that you have to dominate and they also know how to do it.

“In the first half with us, they did well. They have potential, they know how to attack and make transitions.

“We talked about it today, that in the first few minutes of each half, Madrid will press. They are at home. We have to be very brave.

“It’s the perfect stage to show personality. We’ve prepared well for the game, I think we can play well and win. The first few minutes will be key, calming the game and pressing high.

“They have won many times, because they are very good. I don’t believe so much in luck. I believe in work, in the team, it’s not by chance. Madrid, in the last three years, have knocked out the best team in the world twice.

“It’s the most important game. We have to win to put pressure on them. If we win, we would be five points behind. They’ve lost one game out of 31, we don’t have bad numbers either. I see it as an opportunity to get closer. We want to compete.

“We have to change our mindset. Let the anger, frustration and helplessness of the other day be turned in our favour. We have in front of us a strong Real Madrid, morally reinforced after this week in the Champions League.”