"We have an advantage for the second leg, but we still have to compete very well. I think Real Madrid are very strong, and I still see them as the favourites," Xavi said after Barcelona's 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu.

"The attitude was great and we fought until the very end, which is positive."

Before the game, the coach insisted that Real Madrid were the favourites as they are the current Spanish and European champions.

The second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal will be played at Camp Nou on April 5. Going into that match with a defeatist mentality is surely not the best thing to do but perhaps that's Xavi's way of motivating his players.