'They can fight for the title' - Barcelona boss Xavi insists he hasn't been shocked by surprise package Girona ahead of clash with La Liga high-flyers

Xavi continued to laud his team's next opponents as he expects Girona to continue impressing and fighting for the league title. Girona have lost just one game all season, to leaders Real Madrid, and have accumulated 38 points from 15 games in La Liga this season. Xavi's Barcelona, in contrast, have struggled for form and are four points off Girona and Madrid.

Xavi is not surprised by Girona's awesome form, saying: "For some people it's a surprise that Girona are co-leaders with Real Madrid, but for us, no. Michel is a great coach, with a system very similar to ours. Excellent, just congratulate them. They're playing with a spectacular flair but we won't vary too much. We will try to have continuity in the game. They can fight for the title and in fact they are four points ahead of us. I like the fact that they are fearless, how they attack. They are brave and that's what has put them there."

Despite Xavi claiming he was not surprised by Girona, few could have expected them to be challenging for the title prior to the start of the season. Led by the 37-year-old former Middlesborough flop Cristhian Stuani, Girona have drawn deserved praise for their performances this season.

Should Girona earn victory over their Catalan rivals, their title credentials will only be further strengthened. Xavi's Barcelona cannot afford to lose on Sunday night, with defeat leaving them seven points off the top.