Barcelona midfielder Xavi confidently stated that his Catalan team deserved the victory over Real Madrid in their first Clásico encounter of the season.

"We wanted to be brave here. We know that you cannot win otherwise and the team played a great match in every department. We are far superior to Real Madrid," Xavi told the nationwide broadcast television station in Spain, La Sexta.

Strikes from Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas gave the Spanish giants Barcelona a 3-1 comeback win at Real Madrid on Saturday, lifting the champions above their bitter rivals to the top of La Liga.

"I am very happy about everything: for the victory, and the most important thing is that, collectively, we played a great game and we were superior," the Barcelona star added.

Barcelona are set to play Qatari side Al Sadd in the semi-finals of Club World Cup in Japan on Thursday.

"We leave with a good taste in our mouths and we leave with the intention of winning the tournament," Xavi concluded.

Iker Casillas defends Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes that bad luck was against his team efforts in the loss to Barcelona on Saturday.

"We rushed our game and did not play in an orderly fashion," Casillas told reporters after the match, adding "Barcelona's second goal conditioned the match and it may have affected us somewhat, but there are 30-something games left in the league and we cannot obsess about Barcelona.”

The 30-year-old shotstopper defended his teammate star Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to find the net through a chance with a header just before Barcelona scored their third goal.

"We all have to play at 120 per cent, not just Cristiano. We're a team and criticism is directed to all of us," the Real Madrid goalie reminded the public.

Barcelona are in the driving seat of the Spanish La Liga table with 37 points, sharing the same points with their foe Real Madrid, who placed runners-up with a one-goal difference.

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