Xavi warned his Barcelona players they cannot assume the title is theirs even if they beat Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico.

Barca welcome Madrid to Camp Nou for the second LaLiga Clasico of the season, and it comes at a potentially pivotal moment.

The Blaugrana are already nine points clear at LaLiga's summit, meaning anything other than a Madrid win will likely have the Spanish media proclaiming Barca as champions.

Even if Barca do lose, there will still likely be a fair amount of optimism at Camp Nou, given no team have ever led by as many as nine points at this stage of the season and failed to win the title.

Xavi recognises the importance of Sunday's contest, but he is not convinced by suggestions it is decisive – for either team.

"If we win, it would be a knock [for Madrid] in the table," he said.

"It wouldn't be definitive, but it would be a strong blow. Whatever happens, I think nothing will be decided [on Sunday].

"We train naturally, knowing we have a great opportunity. If we win, we will take a very important step to win the league.

"We are very motivated. For some players, it would be the first league title. We prepared for the match, no matter how important it is."

Sunday's game will be the second instalment in a run of three Clasicos in just over a month, with Barca winning 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey on March 2; the second leg of that semi-final is set for April 5.

Their meeting earlier this month had a peculiar feel to it, with Real Madrid recording 64.7 per cent possession, a high for them in Clasicos since at least the 2013-14 season. At the same time, Barcelona's 35.3 per cent possession was their lowest in a single match in any competition over the same period.

Although Barca did win that game, Xavi wants to see an improvement.

"Personally, I would like us to have a little more possession of the ball than in the Copa," he said.

"We are preparing the game in a certain way. We will try to have more control than in the last Clasico, have more of the ball and be protagonists with it.

"I see Madrid as very strong, they have improved a lot physically since January. I suppose it will be a closely contested game.

"The Clasicos are unpredictable, you never know what they will bring. We have prepared well; we have prepared many aspects. We hope Camp Nou will be a pressure cooker for them."

Of course, being able to call upon the ball-playing abilities of Pedri would help Barca retain possession.

However, the Spain international will be absent again on Sunday due to a persistent hamstring injury, with Xavi unwilling to risk him.

"We knew there was risk [with Pedri]," Xavi continued. "[On Friday] he didn't feel 100 per cent, and if you're not in good shape, the best thing you can do is recover well.

"We talked to him and told him that he didn't have to force himself. It's an important game, but it's not a great final. We don't want to lose Pedri for two more months.

"We have played well without [Robert] Lewandowski, without Pedri, without [Ousmane] Dembele, without Gavi... We have done it.

"People keep talking about the first leg of the Copa semi-final, but that's the only game in which we've not had possession.

"It's clear: a match in which we are dominated will not change our mentality. From the first day that I am here, we have worked in a very concrete way."

After coming through part one of a huge week unscathed – albeit with Karim Benzema suffering an injury scare – Real Madrid now turn focus to a huge showdown with fierce rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou.

While the odds were massively stacked in Madrid's favour when protecting a 5-2 lead in their Champions League last-16 tie with Liverpool, going through 6-2 aggregate winners, the opposite is true in their LaLiga title battle with Barca.

Madrid have struggled for consistency domestically and are nine points adrift of the leaders with 12 rounds of games to play after this weekend. Put simply, it is win-or-bust for Los Blancos' outside title hopes.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have a great recent record against their Clasico foes in the league but, regardless of Sunday's result, is it already too late in terms of getting their LaLiga campaign back on track?

Stats Perform looks at how the two sides are shaping up heading into their fourth of five meetings this season, and whether Madrid have any realistic chance of catching Barca.
 

Camp Nou the fortress

Madrid have dropped points too frequently this campaign, particularly away from home. Indeed, they have won just three of their past seven league games outside of the Bernabeu, failing to win back-to-back since October.

Barcelona, by comparison, have won four in a row at Camp Nou without conceding and have taken 32 points from a possible 36 at home this campaign.

Only Paris Saint-Germain can boast a better home record across Europe's top five leagues, collecting three points more than Barca, albeit having played one game more.

On the face of it, then, Los Blancos have their work cut out picking up a point this weekend, never mind the three points they desperately need. 

But Madrid have won five of their past six league games against Barca, including their past two visits to Camp Nou – only once before, between January 1963 and February 1965, have they won three in a row there in the competition.

This Barcelona side is a lot different to the ones Madrid faced in those past two seasons, though, as was clear to see in their two recent cup encounters.

The Catalans claimed a 3-1 win in the Supercopa de Espana final in January and a 1-0 win in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg two weeks ago, with the second leg at Camp Nou to come in early April.

Those 1-0 wins are something they have become accustomed to in the league, too, with nine of their 21 victories coming by that scoreline – more than they have ever recorded in a full season.

Xavi's side have found a way to break down and see out wins against any type of opponent, and their four-year wait for a league title is surely therefore coming to an end.
 

Madrid far from majestic

Opta's prediction model certainly suggests as much, giving Barca a 93.2 per cent chance of finishing top and Madrid just a 6.7 per cent likelihood of overhauling their great rivals.

However, given the six-point swing on the line on Sunday, those figures could change fairly drastically should the visitors win again at Camp Nou.

That is why this meeting is so important to both Barca and Madrid; effectively the final chance for any sort of jeopardy to be injected into the title tussle between Spain's biggest two clubs.

But not only will Los Blancos have to beat Barca, they will realistically have to string together a long run of wins and require Xavi's men to drop at least six more points. 

On the four occasions Barca have dropped points this season, they have responded with winning streaks of seven, five, seven and two, with this latest run still ongoing. 

Madrid, meanwhile, have not put together a winning run of more than four games in the league since mid-October, losing to the likes of Rayo Vallecano, Real Mallorca and Villarreal since then.
 

So you're telling me there's a chance?

Ancelotti has repeatedly vowed Madrid will fight Barca all the way, while opposite number Xavi has predicted the title race may go the distance.

In the long history of LaLiga, though, no team has ever led by as many as nine points at this stage and not gone on to win the title.

But if Madridistas are after a crumb of comfort, there have been two occasions of a team squandering a lead of six points or more after 26 games, which would be the scenario the sides find themselves in if Madrid win.

One such instance will be all too familiar to those Madrid fans, with their side failing to finish top when eight points clear of eventual champions Valencia in the 2003-04 campaign.

The other occasion was 42 years ago when Real Sociedad, six points behind heading into the final stretch, overtook Atletico Madrid to land the title.

Effectively, then, Madrid must win at the home of their biggest rivals or else they will be tasked with achieving something that has never before happened in the Spanish top flight.

The odds may not be in their favour, but if last season's run to Champions League glory taught us anything, it's that you can never write this Real Madrid side off.

There is uncertainty at Paris Saint-Germain due to fears over further financial fair play sanctions, leading to speculation of numerous players being sold or offloaded.

L'Equipe claimed earlier this week that PSG had put on hold contract negotiations with Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi.

Messi is contracted with PSG until the end of this season, although he reportedly had come to a verbal agreement with the club in December.

Back in September, the Ligue 1 leaders were hit with a €10million fine for FFP violations after the 2020-21 season with a further €45m suspended for any future infringements.

TOP STORY – MESSI'S OFFER TO ECLIPSE RONALDO'S RECORD

Marca reports Lionel Messi is set to receive a world-record €220million (£193m) per year offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club.

Messi's contemporary rival Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January in a deal worth €200m, the highest football salary in history.

The Mirror claims the unnamed club is Al Hilal. The Argentinian has constantly been linked with the MLS too.

ROUND-UP

–  Barcelona head coach Xavi has been in touch with Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan about a move, with his contract running out at the end of this season, claims AS.

– Calciomercato claims Marco Verratti is weighing up a move away from Paris Saint-Germain following recent criticism. Verratti penned a contract extension until 2026 recently.

– Manchester United are pondering tabling a £105m offer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, per Sport Bild.

– Mundo Deportivo claims Manchester United are interested in Barcelona's Franck Kessie as a midfield partner for Casemiro, while Tottenham and Chelsea are also circling for him.

– Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard who may be available for a cut price with his current deal due to expire in 2024, reports Fichajes.

– Paul Pogba is eager to remain at Juventus despite battling injuries throughout this season, claims 90min.

Mohamed Salah is contracted with Liverpool until 2025 having penned an extension in July.

Salah's new deal is reportedly worth around £350,000 per week.

However, the 30-year-old has only managed 11 Premier League goals this term, with Liverpool's hopes of mounting a title charge long gone, and their place in next season's Champions League is far from secure.

There is now speculation that one of Europe's elite is looking to poach Salah ahead of next season.

TOP STORY – SALAH STRONGLY WEIGHING UP LIVERPOOL EXIT

Fichajes reports Mohamed Salah is strongly considering departing Liverpool, with Paris Saint-Germain circling.

The Egypt forward extended his Anfield stay last year but the situation has changed amid an underwhelming season.

Liverpool might be in need of a revamp next season, with Roberto Firmino already confirmed to be on his way out, following Sadio Mane's exit last year.

Jurgen Klopp will surely want to keep Salah, but if PSG offer huge money, it could provide the German with the cash needed to rebuild, with Borussia Dortmund's sought-after midfielder Jude Bellingham widely reported to be Liverpool's priority target.

ROUND-UP

–  Tottenham do not want to sell talisman Harry Kane even if he does not commit to a new deal, with his contract due to expire in 2024, according to Sky Sports. Kane has been linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich, while he wanted to join Manchester City in 2021.

– City, meanwhile, have agreed on a new five-and-a-half-year contract for Argentina forward Julian Alvarez amid interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to Fabrizio Romano.

– City have also asked Napoli about Victor Osimhen's availability, reports Florian Plettenberg. The Nigerian forward has interest from PSG, Chelsea and Manchester United too.

– Football Insider claims Chelsea have made Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong their primary focus for the next transfer window.

– Juventus may move for PSG pair Juan Bernat and Renato Sanches with Juan Cuadrado and Adrien Rabiot set to exit, reports Calciomercato.

– The Times reports former Spain head coach Luis Enrique would be interested in becoming Tottenham boss should Antonio Conte depart.

Lionel Messi could throw in the towel on his career in Europe and play out his days in MLS – but it would be a people-pleasing move if he returns to Barcelona next season.

That is the verdict of Gerard Pique, Messi's long-time former Barcelona team-mate who is as interested as anyone in the Argentina great's next step.

Messi is approaching the end of his two-year contract at Paris Saint-Germain, having joined the French club when Barca were mired in a financial crisis and could not keep him on.

He will turn 36 in June, and his performances at the World Cup for Argentina, along with a number of fine club showings, have suggested he could keep going at a high level.

MLS club Inter Miami have also been big admirers of Messi and are seemingly ready with an offer to take him to the United States.

"Only Leo knows his future," Pique told Spanish broadcaster RAC 1. "He won the World Cup, which was the great dream he had and the title he had left to win. He has won it and now no one can doubt he is the best in history.

"What he decides will be about where he can find happiness and if he wants to continue competing at the highest level."

Defender Pique retired in November, having begun his first-team career at Barca in 2008 and become a lynchpin of the team.

Messi was often the match-winner, helping the likes of Pique to become serial trophy gatherers.

"If he continues to be motivated, the most normal thing is for him to stay in Europe, and here Barca can enter into his plans," Pique said.

"If he raises his arms and says he's had enough, maybe he'll go to MLS. If he came back [to Barcelona], it would be an incredible thing for all the fans."

Carlo Ancelotti has refuted suggestions he has a "cold" relationship with Eden Hazard, attributing the Belgian's lack of playing time at Real Madrid to the fine form of Vinicius Junior.

Hazard's Madrid career has been blighted by injuries, and he has featured for just 297 minutes across all competitions this season, with only 98 of those minutes coming in LaLiga.

In an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF, Hazard outlined his respect for Madrid boss Ancelotti but revealed the duo "don't talk to each other".

Despite that, Hazard – who has just over 12 months remaining on the five-year deal he signed upon joining Madrid in 2019 – confirmed he wishes to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.

Asked about those comments at a press conference to preview Wednesday's Champions League fixture against Liverpool, Ancelotti said: "The relationship is not cold. 

"I don't talk much with him, but talking is a matter of character. Sometimes you talk more with one person than with another, it happens when you have kids as well!

"I respect Hazard, I value his thoughts. That's the most important thing, as far as I'm concerned.

"He's not playing because there is so much competition, because Vinicius is playing in his position and doing very well."

Pressed on the former Chelsea winger's future, the Italian simply replied: "For next year I have the players that the club makes available to me."

Vinicius tops Madrid's charts for both goals (19) and assists (nine) across all competitions this term, a fact which has not aided Hazard's bid for regular minutes on the left flank. 

While the Brazilian has recently attracted criticism in Spain for his attitude towards referees, Ancelotti is focused on his extraordinary talents and believes he can "write history" with Los Blancos.

"I think he's progressed a lot, he's come a long way and his attitude is good," Ancelotti said of Vinicius. "He has to focus on playing. That's what he does well.

"I think he is on the right track to write the history of Real Madrid in the coming years, as [Luka] Modric, Karim [Benzema] and Casemiro have done and others continue to do. Our group has been fantastic."

Gerard Pique is adamant Barcelona achieved all their success during his time at the club without resorting to underhand dealings and favour from referees.

A corruption complaint has been filed by Spanish prosecutors against Barcelona concerning alleged payments made to the company of Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira – a former vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).

It has been claimed the total payments exceeded €7million, dating from 2001 to 2018. Newspaper El Pais last month reported Enriquez Negreira's company – DASNIL 95 SL – produced written reports and DVD assessments of referees for Barcelona prior to games.

Real Madrid have said they are ready to appear at any trial that stems from the investigation, having expressed concern at board level about the allegations levelled against their fierce rivals.

Yet Pique, the long-serving defender who retired last November, rejects any suggestion of there being wrongdoing behind Barcelona's on-field success.

He told Spanish broadcaster RAC1: "I would put my hand in the fire that Barca have not bought referees. If you want to buy a referee it's as easy as going and paying him directly with black money, not paying a vice-president of the committee with an invoice."

Pique said he was never aware of the payments to the former top-tier referee's company during his 14-year first-team stint.

"The players don't know that. I don't know if this gentleman's job was to help in this, but as players we were out of it," Pique said.

Barcelona had a stellar run of success in domestic and European competition from 2004-05 through to 2018-19, since when the trophy success has largely dried up, although they are LaLiga leaders this season.

Pique added: "No matter how much they want to smear, that was a golden era."

He said Barcelona, who had the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Pique himself as key playing figures for much of their dominant period, were clearly much stronger than their rivals.

"It's not just the titles won, but how they were won," Pique said. "You can review everything: we were far superior. We didn't depend on the referee, for better or for worse."

Barcelona's current president Joan Laporta said on Sunday the club are "innocent of the accusations" being levelled.

Eden Hazard has decided to stay with Real Madrid next season as the club's forgotten superstar clings to the faint hope of reviving his Santiago Bernabeu career.

The Belgian winger was Chelsea's player of the year in 2018-19, his final season at Stamford Bridge, hitting 16 goals in 37 Premier League games and helping the Blues win the Europa League.

Since leaving London as a 28-year-old at the peak of his powers, however, Hazard has suffered a wretched run of injuries that have blighted his Madrid career.

He has been fit for most of this season, but Ancelotti seemingly regards him as peripheral to his plans, and there is no obvious prospect of his status changing.

Hazard has played only 98 minutes in LaLiga this term and just 297 minutes across all competitions, and he has one season left on his contract before the club can discard the €100million man.

All the same, Hazard hopes that one year can be transformative, and he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF: "I would like to stay here. I have always dreamed of this club. I'm only waiting for one thing. That is to be on the pitch to prove that I can still play football, even if people doubt it, which is normal.

"There is only one thing that could get me out of the spiral in which I am, and that it is to play. After months without a game, I know I wouldn't score five goals in my first game. I need time. But at Real, we don't have the time.

"I see in training that I can bring something. I feel good physically. But there are other players who are doing well."

Hazard is destined to be watching on as Madrid tackle Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday before facing Barcelona in LaLiga on Sunday.

Addressing his relationship with Ancelotti, Hazard said: "There is respect between us. But I'm not going to say that we talk to each other, because we don't talk to each other.

"But there will always be respect. I have to have respect for a guy like Carlo Ancelotti. What he represents for football, what he has done in his career. There is no problem."

Hazard was such a special player in his prime, that to be reduced to effectively begging for a chance to reignite his career at the age of 32 is a desperate fall from grace.

He continues to be paid well by Madrid, but his professional pride has been jolted.

"I'm not asking to play 90 minutes but just to feel useful," he said. "Last season, my situation was difficult to live with. It affects me less now."

He claims some Madrid team-mates have urged him to move on and find a team where he would play.

"But that's not my option," he said. "I remain convinced that I can bring something."

Xavi declared Barcelona's slender 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao as a "golden victory" after they survived a late onslaught to restore their nine-point lead ahead of next weekend's Clasico.

Raphinha's first-half goal at San Mames ultimately proved decisive, but that was just the tip of the iceberg as Barca were forced to withstand intense late pressure.

Earlier, Raul Garcia had hit the post for the hosts, and Athletic's late barrage began with Alex Berenguer striking the woodwork.

Athletic thought they salvaged a dramatic draw when Inaki Williams surged clear and smashed home, but the goal was then disallowed after a VAR check, with Iker Muniain deemed to have handled in the build-up.

Nico Williams then somehow failed to properly connect with the ball when seemingly destined to convert a tap-in; the follow-up by Yuri Berchiche was cleared off the line; and Gorka Guruzeta's volley from that rebound was crucially blocked in front of goal by Andreas Christensen.

It was a valuable win with Barca set to face second-placed Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.

"The same thing has happened to us again," Xavi told reporters. "We have been at a good level for 75 minutes, although we have to attack better.

"It was a difficult game. In San Mames you end up suffering, and that's what happened. It's a golden victory for us and we take three very important points.

"We maintained the nine-point lead, and we go into the Clasico with confidence.

"But we have to get better offensively. We had two or three clear chances in the second half: from Ansu [Fati]; from [Alejandro] Balde, who didn't choose well; from [Robert] Lewandowski with a header.

"We have to improve in that aspect, be calmer and more patient and play more in the attacking half. Defensive solidity must also be valued, but it's true that we have to improve in the attack."

Barca were greeted with a particularly vociferous reception at San Mames in light of the Negreira scandal.

Last month, broadcaster SER Catalunya alleged Barca had paid €1.6million to the company of Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira – the former vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) – between 2016 and 2018.

Newspaper El Pais claimed Negreira's company – DASNIL 95 SL – produced written reports and DVD assessments of referees prior to games.

On Friday, however, Barca – who have denied any wrongdoing – were charged with corruption over alleged payments to Negreira, who is also facing charges along with the club's former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell.

It also emerged on Friday that prosecutors allege Barca paid €7.3m to companies owned by Negreira between 2001 and 2018.

Athletic fans jeered Barca and chanted for them to be demoted to the Segunda, and the reception left Xavi taken aback.

"I am surprised by the hostile atmosphere of San Mames and it saddens me," he said. "Judging prematurely [before a trial] is not good for society.

"Everyone is free. I respect opinions. But we are being judged prematurely, and it saddens me.

"I have nothing more to add. We haven't talked about it in the locker room.

"Those things are for the club [to deal with]. We focus on playing football, we're professionals."

A late VAR reprieve ensured Barcelona clung on to a slender 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao as Raphinha continued his impressive form to restore the Blaugrana's nine-point lead at the summit.

Barca looked to have been pegged back by a dramatic Inaki Williams equaliser, but it was disallowed for handball and Xavi's side just about held on in the face of intense pressure.

The visitors had to weather a storm in the first half as well, making the most of their survival on the stroke of half-time when the in-form Raphinha struck.

Williams' disallowed goal was then followed by more late chances for Athletic, but the hosts' efforts amounted to nothing as Barca got one over former coach Ernesto Valverde.

Real Madrid are ready to appear at any trial that stems from the complaint filed by Spanish prosecutors against Barcelona.

Last month, broadcaster SER Catalunya alleged Barca had paid €1.4million to the company of Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira – the former vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) – between 2016 and 2018.

Newspaper El Pais claimed Negreira's company – DASNIL 95 SL – produced written reports and DVD assessments of referees prior to games.

The public prosecutor's office said on Friday that Spanish prosecutors had filed a complaint against Barca and two of their ex-presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, over the alleged payments. It has been claimed the total payments exceeded €7m, dating back to 2001.

The saga may end up being resolved in court, although that is not certain at this stage. Madrid's board met on Sunday and expressed their "utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts".

A Real Madrid statement read: "In their meeting held today, the Real Madrid CF board of directors have inspected the serious accusations brought by the Barcelona prosecution service against FC Barcelona, two of its former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and executives Albert Soler and Oscar Grau, on the basis of alleged offences of corruption in sports, among others, all related to the relationship the club maintained with the former vice-president of the CTA, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

"Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts and reiterates its confidence in the legal system. The club has agreed that, in defence of its legitimate rights, it will appear at the trial when the judge opens it up to the affected parties."

Barcelona's current president Joan Laporta used Twitter on Sunday to attempt to reassure fans, writing: "Culers [Barca fans], you can be calm. Barca is innocent of the accusations made against it and is the victim of a campaign, that now involves everyone, to harm its honourability.

"It is no surprise, and we will defend Barca and prove that the club is innocent. Many will be forced to rectify."

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last-16 exit has prompted speculation about a squad overhaul.

Neymar's future in the French capital is in doubt, while pressure has ramped up on head coach Christophe Galtier.

PSG will be an interesting watch during the next transfer window as they show their hand on their future direction.

TOP STORY – PSG PLOT MOVES FOR SILVA AND DEMBELE

Paris Saint-Germain are plotting off-season moves to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele , according to Diario Sport.

The Parisiens are monitoring Dembele's status at the Blaugrana with only one year left on his contract, with a €50million release clause.

Barcelona have been linked with Silva but may struggle to facilitate that deal given €65m asking price, with PSG better placed to table that figure.

The report claims PSG's move for Dembele hinges on Neymar and whether he stays in Paris.

  
ROUND-UP

– AS reports Real Madrid are still angling to sign PSG's Kylian Mbappe after a long courtship. The report claims Los Blancos want to sign him as a free agent when his contract expires in 2024 and have prioritised him over Man City's Erling Haaland .

– Tottenham are ready to launch a move to sign Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on a cut-price deal, according to The Sun. The report claims Pickford has a clause in his new Everton deal, signed last month, if they are relegated although the Toffees are understood to want around £35m.

– PSG are planning a bid for Villarreal defender Pau Torres in the next transfer window, reports The Mirror. Manchester United opted against signing him last year.

– Barcelona 's top priority in the off-season is to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez , according to Sport.

– Calciomercato claims Milan have cooled their interest in Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita as his wage demands are beyond what they can offer.

– Bayern Munich continue to monitor the status of Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic , reports Calciomercato.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has criticised LaLiga referees for failing to issue cards to opponents who repeatedly foul him.

Vinicius was on target for Madrid in Saturday's 3-1 win over Espanyol, with that his team-high 19th goal in 39 appearances this season.

He was once again targeted by opposition players, with his 138 fouls won in all competitions this term at least 34 more than any other player across Europe's top five leagues.

But Vinicius was himself shown a 12th yellow card of the season against Espanyol – only Sofyan Amrabat (13) and Alex Baena (14) have more across the continent.

"Referees don't give fouls and they don't give yellow cards," he told ESPN. "Players can foul me 15 times and, when the game is in the 88th minute, the referee gives a yellow.

"Players have to think of a way to stop me, and, by [committing fouls], it becomes very easy for them. 

"I don't judge the players, but I judge the referees, because they have to apply the rules correctly."

Vinicius added: "I'm not asking for anyone to protect me. Nobody has protected me in my life, except my team-mates, my parents and the people that like me.

"What I have to do is to try to keep a clear head. I make mistakes sometimes; I'm only 22. I'll make a lot of mistakes. But I want to make fewer mistakes and keep learning."

Asked about referee Jorge Figuerola's decision to book Vinicius for a rather innocuous challenge, Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "I didn't understand it.

"It wasn't an action that stopped a promising attack. I don't understand the yellow cards they give him. His attitude has been exemplary and he scored another fantastic goal."

Vinicius arced a fine strike into the bottom-right corner to cancel out Joselu's early opener at the Santiago Bernabeu, before Eder Militao put Madrid in the lead before half-time. 

Marco Asensio then sealed the comeback win for Madrid, who have now won 10 points from losing positions in LaLiga this term – a tally only Osasuna (12) can better.

Ancelotti's side are back to within six points of leaders Barcelona, who play their game in hand at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti credited Real Madrid's powers of recovery after Saturday's 3-1 win over Espanyol, as Los Blancos prepare to enter a decisive week with a spring in their step.

Madrid appeared in danger of losing more ground on LaLiga leaders Barcelona when Joselu put Espanyol ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the champions responded well to cut the gap to six points.

Vinicius Junior arced a fine strike into the bottom-right corner to level, before Eder Militao's header put Madrid on top and Marco Asensio made the points safe at the death.

Madrid have now claimed 10 points from losing positions in LaLiga this campaign – a tally only bettered by Girona (12).

With the second leg of their Champions League tie against Liverpool and a huge meeting with Clasico rivals Barcelona to come in the next eight days, Ancelotti knows Madrid had no margin for error.

"The matches are all difficult, whoever the rival is," he told Movistar. "We needed the three points, a very important week begins now with the Champions League and the Clasico. 

"The beginning was not very spectacular, then we came back, we controlled it well, it was a good game. We needed to win, we won, and now we go for the next one.

"We arrive in a good mood, hopefully we can prepare well for Wednesday's game [against Liverpool], which has many traps, and they must be avoided."

Madrid hold a handsome 5-2 advantage over Liverpool at the halfway point of their last-16 tie, having become the first visiting team to score five goals in a European game at Anfield last month.

While the European champions are heavy favourites to reach the last eight, Ancelotti says last year's quarter-final tie against Chelsea – in which Madrid squandered a 3-1 first-leg lead before triumphing 5-4 on aggregate – should serve as a warning.

"I think we had an experience last year with Chelsea where it was very difficult for us to get through despite the advantage," he said at his post-match press conference.

"The fact is that we have an advantage, we are favourites, but we have to play 90 minutes with the same attitude as the first leg and with our best performance. 

"We cannot hide the advantage, hopefully we will take advantage of it with a match at the top level. We can't think about managing the result, the minutes... You have be at your best, like at Anfield."

The build-up to Saturday's game was overshadowed by the revelation that Madrid's board would discuss "suspicions of corruption" regarding Barcelona at an urgent meeting on Sunday.

Spanish prosecutors have filed a complaint against Barcelona over alleged historic payments to former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, but Ancelotti would not be drawn on the controversy.  

"Tomorrow I know there is a board meeting. I refer to the club on this issue," Ancelotti said. "It's important, but I prefer to focus on the next game."

Real Madrid came from behind to cut Barcelona's lead at the top of LaLiga to six points, with Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Marco Asensio scoring in a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid entered Saturday's game having gone three matches without a win, and they threatened to lose further ground in the title race when Joselu's early strike put Espanyol ahead.

However, a solo effort from Vinicius Junior swiftly levelled things up, before Militao nodded home at the back post to put the hosts on top before half-time.

Asensio escaped in behind to net a third late on, ensuring Madrid went six points behind Barcelona ahead of the Blaugrana's trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with the Clasico rivals due to face off in a huge clash next week. 

Espanyol stunned the Bernabeu with their first real attack eight minutes in, Joselu guiding a side-footed finish into the top-right corner after Ruben Sanchez broke beyond Eduardo Camavinga to cross.

Madrid almost went 2-0 down when Vinicius Souza's header forced Thibaut Courtois into action, but they were level after 22 minutes as Vinicius Junior skipped inside to bend a terrific finish into the bottom-right corner.

With Espanyol coming under intolerable pressure, Militao gave Madrid the lead six minutes before the break, heading Aurelien Tchouameni's delicate delivery in off the crossbar.

A last-ditch clearance from Vinicius Souza denied Rodrygo as Madrid continued to press after the interval, before Leandro Cabrera scuffed an effort wide at the other end.

Rodrygo then rattled the crossbar with a fine free-kick as Espanyol faded, before substitute Asensio applied a calm one-on-one finish to make the points safe in stoppage time.