The Spain international was speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to the Bernabeu, when Pep Guardiola's Barca will take on the Primera Division leaders in the most eagerly anticipated encounter of the season.

Jose Mourinho's Madrid lead the way in the league by three points with a game in hand, but Xavi has placed no importance on Madrid's advantage heading into the match.

"Madrid are doing well, they have 11 straight wins in the league and they have three more points than us," Xavi told a news conference. "The advantage means they are in a better position than us but in El Clasico it is not about the ranking. Anything can happen.

"Madrid will arrive at the game in better shape than in the past three or four years. They are physically strong. But to win at the Bernabeu would be a pleasure.

"We will tighten up and play a very physical game."