Xavi urges Barcelona to 'leave past behind' as players train for Real Madrid - in pictures

First clasico of La Liga season will determine who ends the weekend top of the table

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski (C) and teammates attend a training session at the Joan Gamper ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on the eve of the clasico against Real Madrid. AFP

Ansu Fati and defender Jordi Alba. EPA

Spanish defender Gerard Pique. AFP

Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen goes through a stretching routine. EPA

Jules Kounde and Marcos Alonso in action. AFP

Defender Jules Kounde takes part in the training session. EPA

Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski prepare to face Real Madrid. AFP

Barca's French forward Ousmane Dembele gestures during the training session. AFP

Defender Gerard Pique (2L) and coach Xavi prepare for the clasico. AFP

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele during training. EPA

Barcelona's coach Xavi Hernandez leads the training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski prepares for his first clasico against Real Madrid with a training session at Joan Garper Sports City. EPA

FC Barcelona's striker Robert Lewandowski takes part in a training session held at Joan Garper Sports City in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 15 October 2022. FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid in a Spanish LaLiga soccer match on 16 October. EPA / Alejandro Garcia

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez talks to midfielder Sergio Busquets. EPA

Jules Kounde in action. AFP

Barcelona players prepare for the clasico. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish forward Ansu Fati and Brazilian forward Raphinha. AFP

Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski stands with his family before the training session. AFP

Pedri, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski during training. AFP

Robert Lewandowski arrives at a training session. AFP

Barcelona coach Xavi addresses a press conference on the eve of the clasico. AFP

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez believes Sunday's clasico against Real Madrid is an "opportunity" for his players to bounce back from their Champions League struggles and cement top spot in La Liga.

Barca are enjoying a strong start to the league season having won seven and drawing one of their opening eight games to share top spot with Real Madrid, who hold the same record.

However, Barcelona's European form has been less convincing after winning just one of their four games to face elimination from the group stage for a second successive year.

Xavi is keen for his team to set aside their Champions League disappointment and use Sunday's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu as a chance to bounce back.

"I'm always an optimist and I see this game as a great opportunity for us. We are the (Liga) leaders and we want to continue to be as of Sunday," Xavi told a news conference.

"We want to leave the past behind. If we are positive, everything will be fine."

Barcelona, who have been struggling with several injuries, do have some positive team news after Xavi confirmed French defender Jules Kounde is set to return after missing recent matches with a hamstring injury.

"He is very well, 100 per cent and happy," Xavi said. "His feelings are very good. He has trained very hard and is available for Sunday."

Indeed, Kounde was among the Barcelona players who took part in the final training session at the club's Joan Gamper training ground on Saturday ahead of the clasico. Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice to earn Barca a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday, also went through his paces alongside the likes of Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

Check out the best photos from the training session in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.