Xavi says Barcelona 'candidates to win this league' after statement victory at Atletico

Dembele's strike sent Barca three points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid falter against Villarreal

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, second from right, celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, January 8, 2023. AP Photo

Atletico Madrid's Reinildo Mandava, left, and Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembeleruns with the ball. AFP

FC Barcelona's striker Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 January 2023. EPA / Rodrigo Jimenez

Ousmane Dembele celebrates his goal. Getty Images

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann reacts after a challenge. AP Photo

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is challenged by Ronald Araujo of Barcelona. Getty Images

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, centre, makes a save. AP Photo

Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, top, and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Atletico Madrid's Stefan Savic, right, and Barcelona's Ansu Fati challenge for the ball. AP Photo

Barcelona's Spanish forward Ferran Torres fights with Atletico Madrid's Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic. Both were sent off in second-half injury time. AFP

Barcelona substitute Ferran Torres is sent off. EPA

Barcelona boss Xavi said Sunday's victory at Atletico Madrid showed the Catalans are capable of winning La Liga as Ousmane Dembele's strike took them three points clear at the top of the table.

Capitalising on champions Real Madrid's defeat to Villarreal 24 hours earlier, Barcelona set out to claim a statement victory over Atletico at the Metropolitano.

French forward Dembele finished off a slick team move on 22 minutes but Barca were forced to cling on as Atletico ramped up the pressure, with the superb Ronald Araujo clearing off the line from Antoine Griezmann at the death.

Both teams finished with 10 men after Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic were sent off for brawling with each other on the floor as tempers soured.

"It's a win, but it's not just three points. It gives us morale and confidence for what's left of the league," Xavi told reporters. "We are capable of winning at place as tough as this, suffering, being a family.

"We knew how to suffer and we take three golden points. It's a real statement that we are candidates to win this league."

Missing the suspended Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona once again had to rely on a defence that has conceded just six goals in 16 Liga matches.

Griezmann forced Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a superb save as the pink-haired Frenchman looked to exert his influence over his former side.

Griezmann might have snatched a point but for Araujo's crucial clearance on the line.

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Barcelona only mustered two shots on target and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak said his side deserved more.

"We had a good game, apart from the first 25 minutes," Oblak told DAZN. "We pressed well, we had chances, but lacked a bit of luck to score."

"We started badly, the first 25 minutes we had little confidence, and later we woke up, but at 1-0 down it's already harder."

Defeat means Atletico languish in fifth, 14 points behind leaders Barcelona.

"It's not a worrying situation but it is one that we have to deal with," Simeone told reporters.

"The reality is that we lost. It's true the team had the merit to take away another result, that didn't happen because we didn't put it away. What happens in the boxes is crucial."