Barcelona will again be without the services of four players through injury for Monday's La Liga clash with Girona at Camp Nou.
Long-term absentees Ousmane Dembele and Pedri remain on the sidelines with hamstring problems, while Andreas Christensen is still sidelined with the calf issue that he suffered while representing Denmark during the recent international break.
Frenkie de Jong is also still unavailable due to a hamstring issue, but the Netherlands international is believed to be closing in on a return to action.
"The feelings have not been good, it's a question of feelings and they were looking forward to participating but we don't want to take any risks. Their feelings will determine their return," Xavi told reporters during his press conference when asked about the latest regarding the recoveries of Pedri and Dembele.
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The absentees mean that young talents Aleix Garrido, Angel Alarcon, Estanis Pedrola and Marc Casado are again in the squad for the Catalan outfit.
Table-topping Barcelona would move 14 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid with a victory over Girona, with the reigning champions suffering a 3-2 loss to Villarreal on Saturday night.
"It was already a very important game before the Madrid game but now it is even more important... it's a great opportunity and we can't fail, we're playing an extraordinary league," Xavi added during his press conference.
"We want to be champions and tomorrow would be another step forward. It would give us a very important margin. It will be a complicated game, Michel is working very well, it will cost us for sure, with the help of the fans and playing at home, with the defeat of Madrid it motivates us even more to win."
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Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from their 4-0 loss to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final when they welcome Girona to Camp Nou.
"We've analysed the reasons for the mistakes we made, especially in the first half. In the first half we had to be ahead on the scoreboard, you can't forgive so much and when you forgive, Madrid are the team that make you pay most dearly for it," said Xavi when questioned on the El Clasico loss.
"We've turned the page and we're focusing on La Liga. When we were knocked out of the Champions League we made a pact to win the league, it's the fairest competition because it gives you the work of the whole season. We are focused on the eleven games.
"We don't make excuses for the absentees, which are obviously noticeable. We have to mature. When we play Madrid we'll have to be more forceful and not make mistakes that psychologically kill us."
Barcelona have won each of their last four league matches against Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and Elche, and they will be looking for their 24th La Liga success of the campaign on Monday.
Barcelona squad vs. Girona:
Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Garrido, Casado, Torre, Gavi, Roberto, Kessie, Busquets; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Alarcon, Estanis
Matt Law
