Barcelona currently top the La Liga table, sitting four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side must secure victory on Sunday to keep their hopes alive of overtaking their fierce rivals in the final three matches of the season.

Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands.

The Spanish champions were thrashed in Saudi Arabia by their bitter Clasico rivals and Xavi said his team gave a bad account of themselves.

The Brazilian winger, 23, is often criticised by opponents for going down easily, confronting officials and humiliating them with dribbles.

The Catalans face Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday in the first leg, without injured trio Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski