Pep Guardiola's men remain 12 points clear at the top of the Primera Liga table following a 4-1 thrashing of Numancia at the weekend.

Barca are on an astonishing run of 17 wins in 18 games and Abidal has urged his team-mates to maintain their impressive form.

"If we look at what we have done up until now, we can only see good games, many goals and many points," said the France international. "We know we have to fight until the end, but at the moment Barcelona are the best team I have ever seen.

"It's a team that always has the ball. We are collecting a lot of points, and playing a lot of games, but we have to continue like that until the end of the season.

"I'm feeling good and it's important we keep on working hard. The more you work in training, the better you perform in the game.

"The work we do all week allows us to play each game well and win as we are doing."

Barca face Abidal's former team Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League next month, and the 29-year-old knows it will be a tough test.

"I haven't spoken to any of them recently because the game's a long way off," he added. "But for sure they know it will be a tough game.

"Both games will be difficult, hard and physical."