The Albany Gazette - Real Madrid more mature than Barca, says Xavi after Clasico loss

Los Blancos earned a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu to replace Barca at the top of La Liga on Sunday, moving three points clear of their Catalan rivals.

The defeat came after a draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League which leaves Barcelona on the verge of a second successive group stage elimination.

"They beat us on maturity, in knowing how to compete," Xavi told a press conference. "We competed worse than our opponents, that's why we lost the game. They are a team that's more mature than ours at this moment."

Barcelona signed various players in the summer, including La Liga's top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha.

Real Madrid's side is more settled, with the only player starting the Clasico not at the club last season being midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Madrid moved ahead through Karim Benzema after Vinicius Junior got behind Sergi Roberto, with Fede Valverde drilling home the second. Ferran Torres pulled one back but a Rodrygo penalty sealed Madrid's win.

"We played against a great team, who are very sure of their plan," continued Xavi. "The first goal cannot be allowed to happen. And you go in at 2-0 down, after they had just three chances and we made various.

"We have to mature. Against Inter, Bayern Munich, in Milan, here, these are games where we weren't (mature enough), but we will learn."

Barcelona host Villarreal on Thursday as they look to keep the pressure on the division's new leaders, who visit Elche on Wednesday.

"We have to change the dynamic," added Xavi. "The season is very long, sometimes you're down, but we have to be strong, keep believing, working, I don't know any other way to get to success.

"These are just three points and now we have to prepare for the next game against Villarreal."

(P.Werner--BBZ)