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La Liga
Oct 7, 2012 at 6.50pm UK
 
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2-2

Messi (31', 61')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ronaldo (23', 66')

Xavi: 'El Clasico is a chance to increase our lead over Real Madrid'

Xavi: 'El Clasico is chance to increase our lead over Madrid'
© PA Photos
Xavi urges his Barcelona teammates to increase their lead over Real Madrid with a win in Sunday's Clasico.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has stressed the importance of this weekend's El Clasico as a chance to open up an even bigger gap over Real Madrid.

Madrid are already eight points behind the Catalans after a poor start to the season.

Barca, meanwhile, have taken maximum points from their opening six games, and Xavi is keen to increase the lead.

"It would be an important victory, to calm our nerves and leave our main rivals 11 points behind us," he said.

"It's a big opportunity but nothing is decisive. There is still plenty of life left in the league whatever happens.

"We will try to enjoy it and make the public enjoy it too. We are arriving in good shape, despite [Carles] Puyol's injury."

Puyol will miss the game after dislocating his elbow in Barcelona's midweek Champions League match.

The match between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place at the Nou Camp on Sunday evening.

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2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
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