Barcelona coach Xavi saw improvements in their Supercopa semifinal defeat to Real Madrid in Riyadh.

Real Madrid needed extra time to book their place in the final on Wednesday evening, edging Barcelona 3-2 after extra time in an action-filled meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Xavi said, "If we talk about today, we are close. In the league we are 17 points behind. Today we competed. If we flip a coin and Barça go through, nothing happens. Barça also deserved to go through to the final. We are on the right track.

"Madrid also has the feeling that we had the pass to the final. We have the feeling of anger, impotence. Tomorrow we will see it better. If we have to lose, so be it."

Xavi also declared he was delighted with Luuk de Jong on the night.

He added: "He is part of the squad. We are Barça. Nobody plays for the name. How could I take Luuk out of the team? He scores goals, he does well. If he continues to perform he will continue to play."