Henry (2), Messi (2), Puyol and Piqué were the scorers in Barça’s famous 2-6 win at the Bernabeu in 2009 and it was Pedro and Messi again who appeared on the scoresheet in last year’s win, but it was Xavi Hernandez who was pulling the strings and making the assists in six of the eight strikes. It was the midfield maestro who played the killer pass and who ran the games for Barça.

XAVI’S SIX PASSES FOR GOALS AT MADRID

2008/09: R.Madrid-FCB (2-6)

1-2 (min 20): After Higuain and Henry had opened the scoring, Xavi lifts his arm as a signal and sends in an inch perfect free kick for captain Carles Puyol to put away an unstoppable header.

1-3 (min 35): Xavi robs the ball from Lass in his own half and sends in Leo Messi who gives Casillas no chance.

2-4 (min 58): Just after Sergio Ramos gets one back for Madrid, Touré passes to Xavi, still in his own half, who sends a long ball for Henry to get behind Ramos and slip the ball past the advancing keeper.

2-5 (min 73): Messi finds Xavi on the edge of the box and the midfielder spins round in front of Cannavaro and Gago and gives the ball back to the Argentinean to make it five, before Piqué rounds off the scoring.

2009/10. R.Madrid-FCB (0-2)

0-1 (min 32): Maxwell takes a quick free kick in midfield for Messi, who links with Xavi and gets the ball back in the midst of the Madrid defenders, but is able to fire home a right foot shot for the opening goal.

0-2 (min 56): From the halfway line, Xavi plays in a great ball behind Arbeloa for Pedro to run onto and shoot past Casillas to seal the game.