Xavi Hernandez wants his Barcelona side to impose their DNA on Real Madrid as the two rivals clash in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final.
Real have held the upper hand in the battle between the two clubs this season, building a seven-point lead over them in LaLiga and winning October’s El Clasico encounter.
Yet Barca boss Xavi has drawn inspiration from his side’s victory over the same opponents in last year’s final and wants them to show their quality as they meet again in a showpiece repeat in Riyadh.
Xavi told reporters at a press conference: “The team is motivated. It’s the perfect situation for a player, to impose our way of playing, the DNA that links us back to (former manager Johan) Cruyff.
“We have the example from last season – we are proud of that day.
“That’s the path we are always looking for – to dominate possession and create chances through numerical superiority.”
Xavi believes what has happened so far this season now counts for nothing.
“When kick-off comes, the final will be 50-50,” he said.
Barcelona beat Osasuna in their semi-final in Saudi Arabia to set up the clash of Spain’s biggest two clubs.
Xavi’s opposite number Carlo Ancelotti expects the match to be a great occasion.
The Italian said: “We’re one step away from the first trophy of the season.
“We’re going to try to do what we have to do, which is to try to win the final.
“It’s always exciting to prepare for this type of match. Everyone can see that and it’s going to be a great spectacle.
“The atmosphere here is good. It’s a country where people are very passionate about football and we have a lot of Real Madrid fans here.”
Ancelotti agrees with Xavi that there are no clear favourites and feels the outcome will have no bearing on the remainder of the season.
“This competition ends tomorrow,” said Ancelotti, whose side beat Atletico Madrid 5-3 in their semi-final. “The rest is another story.
“It’s an important trophy for the club’s image but the Clasico makes all things equal. It’s going to be exactly the same here.
“Madrid may have shown that in the last few games they’ve been better, but it all evens out now. It’ll be the small details that decide this final.”