Xavi calls for "personality" targeting a second successive Clasico win

The joint-La Liga leaders will face each other at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as

is leading the table due to a goal difference. Barcelona deals with the blow of almost being knocked out of the Champions League final while

has almost guaranteed a spot in the next round.

Featuring 42 times as a player in El Classico, the last time the two sides met

masterminded a 4-0 crushing victory over their rivals in his first La Liga

El Classico

in March. He told his press conference:

"I would like to remain a footballer to play these types of matches. It's spectacular to play such a game.

"This is where you have to stand up and be counted; as a coach, too. Everyone watches the Clasico and everyone's up for it. The motivation is maximum, it is an opportunity to come out more leaders of the competition.

"We need to play as a unit; we need to be compact, we need to be brave and show personality. The proof of [what you can achieve] is very clear; [look at] last year's game.

With an injury crisis in the center-back position, Xavi revealed that left-back

can fill in to play alongside Eric Garcia at the heart of Barca’s defense. Asked how he would deal with

Vinicius

' threats, Xavi said: "

It's not just Vinícius that we have to stop; it's also [Karim] Benzema, Rodrygo, [Federico] Valverde.

 "They're a competitive team who get the best out of their players. It's a huge game. It's not about how we stop Vinícius; it's about how we stop Madrid."

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