Xavi targets 15 point lead over Madrid as Barca edge closer to Liga title

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez appeared in a press conference ahead of Monday's game at Spotify Camp Nou against Girona, where his side have the chance to move 15 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga standings.

"For us, it was already a very important game, but after the Madrid [loss to Villarreal] we can move 15 points ahead with 30 to play for," Xavi said.

"We have a great opportunity. We can't fail. We want to be champions and it would give us a very important margin. There are 10 games to go. It will be a difficult game against Girona. They know what they do with the ball and without it they are a compact and solid team. It will cost us for sure, but we are motivated."

Xavi added that "the Madrid defeat motivates us even more to go for the win. LaLiga is the fairest competition because it tells you exactly how you've been during the season."

After a tough week due to being knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the clásico at home, Xavi commented that "we have to mature through disappointments and [this week's Copa defeat] was a disappointment. It will help us to mature. We are competing well this year. In the so-called big games, we have lacked this maturity, and we are going to learn."

Xavi also commented on the debate about the importance of a possible league title.

"I'm not going to get into a war of what is or isn't being said," he stated. "We value this league a lot, it will be a very good season. And against a great team like Real Madrid, reigning champions of La Liga and the Champions League. From the inside, we give it a lot of value, if it's not given from the outside we can't control it.

"The team lacks time [together]. If you don't win titles in this time you don't have time. But we have won the Super Cup, we are well on our way in the league and we have reached the semi-finals of the Copa. We are still under construction. So far we've won one title and we're on our way to winning another."