Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez hailed striker Robert Lewandowski for helping change the mindset at the club.
The Catalans are eight points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga and beat Los Blancos in Saudi Arabia to win the Spanish Super Cup in January.
Last season, Barcelona failed to win a trophy but the mood changed in the summer when the club brought in several players, including former Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski.
"Lewandowski is accustomed to winning titles with Bayern.H e had brought us that winning mentality, that of a champion," Xavi told reporters Saturday.
"In his head, defeat is not an option."
The 34-year-old Polish international has scored 23 goals in 26 games this season for Barca.
Barcelona can extend their lead on Madrid if they win at Villarreal on Sunday, before Carlo Ancelotti's side face Elche midweek, due to their participation in the Club World Cup.
"Each game is key and more so at this stage of the season," added Xavi.
"We are eight points clear, tomorrow we could make that 11."
Raphinha finding Barca footing ahead of Villarreal trip
Barcelona winger Raphinha is finally hitting his best form and helping the Catalans cope without the injured Ousmane Dembele, ahead of the LaLiga leaders' trip to face Villarreal on Sunday.
The French forward went off hurt against Girona at the end of January but Raphinha has stepped up to fill the gap despite an erratic start to his career at the club.
Signed from Leeds United for around 55 million euros ($59 million) last summer, the Brazilian was often shunned for the improving Dembele.
However, with the former Borussia Dortmund forward out for up to five weeks, Raphinha has ensured the club have not stumbled in his absence.
The 26-year-old scored against Real Betis in a 2-1 win on February 1 and then again in the 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, helping Barcelona open an eight point chasm above second place Real Madrid.
Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres have been reduced to lesser roles as Raphinha claimed Dembele's place and midfielder Gavi is being deployed on the left of the attack.
"Although there is outside criticism, we value his work," said Xavi after the win over Sevilla.
As well as scoring, Raphinha set up a goal for Gavi with a razor-sharp pass and played a significant part in Jordi Alba's opener.
"He's intense, he attacks space, he gives us a lot in attack and is being decisive," continued Xavi.
"Now it might seem like he's standing out more, but he's an extraordinary player."
Raphinha had only been handed eight starts in the league before Barcelona faced Girona and that inconsistency led to mixed performances.
Xavi must decide whether or not to start with Raphinha on the right flank against Villarreal, with the first leg of the Europa League play-off round against Manchester United looming on Thursday.
Give the team's sizeable advantage in the top flight he might keep the Brazilian in reserve and hand Torres the opportunity to play on his favoured right side.
With victory Barcelona can move 11 points clear of the champions, who are not playing at the weekend because of their involvement in the Club World Cup.
Quique Setien's Villarreal have been improving under the former Barcelona coach but fell to a shock 3-1 defeat by bottom of the table Elche last weekend.
It was Elche's first win of the season and a bitter blow for the Yellow Submarine's hopes of Champions League qualification.
Villarreal are currently sixth, four points behind fourth place Atletico Madrid.
"We must be self-critical because this is a defeat that hurts," said goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
"It is a defeat that weighs heavily (on us), but we continue onwards.
"We must analyse during the week what needs to be improved, because without a doubt, there are many things."
Player to watch: Gabri Veiga
The 20-year-old Celta Vigo midfielder hit a brace in his club's thrilling 4-3 win over Real Betis last weekend and is helping drive the Galicians away from danger. This weekend Veiga's influence in midfield could be crucial as Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid visit Balaidos.
Key stats
7 – After losing their first five games, three of those at home, Cadiz have found solidity and are unbeaten in seven league matches at the Nuevo Mirandilla
16 – Barcelona midfielder Pedri has played 16 through-balls this season, more than any other player in the league, but curiously remains without any assists to his name
1503 – Villarreal playmaker Dani Parejo has touched the ball more times than any other player this season
Fixtures
Friday
Cadiz v Girona (20:00)
Saturday
Almeria v Real Betis (15:15), Sevilla v Real Mallorca (17:30), Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (20:00)
Sunday
Getafe v Rayo Vallecano (13:00), Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid (15:15), Real Valladolid v Osasuna (17:30), Villarreal v Barcelona (20:00)
Monday
Espanyol v Real Sociedad (20:00)
LaLiga files complaint over Vinicius racist abuse
Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing the 22-year-old forward during Sunday's win against the LaLiga holders, with the video published by streaming company DAZN on social media.
"LaLiga has forwarded all the information gathered, together with its complaint, both to the Court of Instruction in Palma de Mallorca, and to RCD Mallorca so that it can participate in the case," said the statement.
It is the sixth complaint LaLiga has filed for racist chanting or insults against Vinicius.
Earlier on Tuesday, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said the abuse that has been directed at Vinicius is a problem for the whole of Spanish football.
"It seems that the problem is Vinicius, and it is not like that. It is a problem of Spanish football and it must be solved," Ancelotti told a news conference in Rabat ahead of the Club World Cup semifinal against Egypt's Al Ahly.
"The question I ask is this: Is it Vinicius or his teammates? What do his teammates have to defend Vinicius from? Vinicius is the victim of something that I don't understand."
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against the Brazilian after a mannequin wearing his No 20 shirt was hung from a bridge in front of the club's training ground ahead of the Madrid derby two weeks ago.
The mannequin was hung by the neck next to a banner in Atletico Madrid's red and white colours that read "Madrid hates Real".
Pele, Neymar and other leading Brazilian figures defended Vinicius in September after a panelist on a Spanish soccer show compared his goal celebrations to that of a monkey, sparking an immediate backlash on social media.
Vinicius issued a video statement at the time in response to what he called a "xenophobic and racist" insult, saying he "won't stop dancing" and that "the happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers" many people.
Vinicius Jr abuse is problem for all Spanish football - Ancelotti
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday that the abuse that has been directed at his player Vinicius Jr is a problem for the whole of Spanish football, not for the 22-year-old Brazilian.
Vinicius received racist abuse from fans in Mallorca on Sunday during an ill-tempered match in which the Brazilian was fouled 10 times, the most for any player in LaLiga this season.
Vinicius has been subjected to racial abuse by fans on at least three other occasions and is the most fouled player in Europe's top seven leagues by a big margin.
"It seems that the problem is Vinicius, and it is not like that. It is a problem of Spanish football and it must be solved," Ancelotti told a news conference in Rabat on Tuesday, on the eve of Real Madrid's Club World Cup semifinal against Egypt's Al Ahly.
"The question I ask is this: Is it Vinicius or his teammates? What do his teammates have to defend Vinicius from? Vinicius is the victim of something that I don't understand."
Supporters in Mallorca could be heard racially insulting the player in a video published by streaming company DAZN on social media on Sunday.
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against the Brazilian after a mannequin wearing his No 20 shirt was hung from a bridge in front of the club's training centre ahead of the Madrid derby two weeks ago.
The mannequin was hung by the neck next to a banner in Atletico Madrid's red and white colours that read "Madrid hates Real" during the early hours of January 26, police said.
In September, prosecutors in Madrid decided not to press charges over racist chanting aimed at Vinicius after finding it had "lasted a few seconds" and had not constituted a crime.
Pele, Neymar and other leading Brazilian figures defended Vinicius in September after a panelist on a Spanish soccer show compared his goal celebrations to that of a monkey, sparking an immediate backlash on social media.
Vinicius issued a video statement at the time in response to what he called a "xenophobic and racist" insult, saying he "won't stop dancing" and that "the happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers" many people.
In December, the player accused LaLiga of continuing to do nothing about racist fans at matches, after videos on social media showed some shouting abuse and throwing objects at him during a match the previous day in Valladolid.
"On the issue of racism, I think that is people that are bitter with their own lives who go in the stands and try to pay for their frustrations with a 22-year-old kid. You have to have respect for other people," Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde told a news conference on Tuesday.
"When a player is fouled a lot it's part of football, but we as teammates have to defend him," he added.
Courtois, Benzema and Militao to miss Club World Cup semifinal
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache for the Club World Cup semifinal with Egypt's Al Ahly on Wednesday as he will be missing several key players due to injury.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Karim Benzema and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy will not make the trip to Morocco on Monday but the first three may be available for a possible final on Saturday if Real advance.
Vazquez and Mendy have been out for several games with long-term injuries but Benzema and Militao, who were substituted with leg injuries in Real's LaLiga win against Valencia on Thursday, are not expected to be sidelined for too long.
Courtois, who suffered a groin injury during the warm-up for Sunday's surprise defeat at Mallorca, does not have a long-term problem according to medical examinations on Monday.
Courtois, Benzema and Militao will stay in Madrid for treatment but are expected to join their teammates in Rabat later in the week if their treatment goes as planned.
Real are struggling lately, having won only one of their last three LaLiga matches, allowing Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the standings to eight points.
Despite all the injuries and a packed schedule over the next few weeks, with the Club World Cup quickly followed by a Champions League clash with Liverpool and Copa del Rey showdown against Barcelona as well as LaLiga matches, coach Carlo Ancelotti said they would go for glory on all fronts.
However, the Italian did urge the authorities to look at fixture scheduling in the future for the sake of player welfare.
"We will not throw any tournaments away, we are very close... In the (Spanish) Cup semifinals, last 16 in Europe, Club World Cup semis," Ancelotti said last week.
"We don't ever want to throw matches away... (but) the schedule is just remarkable, it doesn't stop. LaLiga wants its share, Fifa wants its share, Uefa wants its share, Spanish FA wants its share... They won't allow us to have a day to rest.
"I get bored when I get days to rest, but the players get tired... We're always looking forward to fight for every title but we're going beyond our limits with the schedule as it is. Between all of us we need to do something to avoid this situation."
The winners of the Real Madrid-Al Ahly game will in the final face either Brazilian side Flamengo or Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who play the second semifinal in Tangier on Tuesday.
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Vinicius Jr victim again of racist abuse in Mallorca
Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. in their Son Moix stadium during their 1-0 upset win against the LaLiga holders on Sunday.
Supporters could be heard calling the 22-year-old Brazilian player a monkey in a video published by streaming company DAZN on social media.
Mallorca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in a radio interview club manager Javier Aguirre denied that his players had targeted Vinicius in the ill-tempered match, in which the Brazilian suffered 10 fouls, the most endured by any player in LaLiga this season.
Vinicius has been subjected to racial abuse by fans on at least three occasions - at Camp Nou against Barcelona in November 2021, at Atletico in September 2022 and at Valladolid in late December 2022.
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against the Brazilian after a mannequin wearing his No 20 shirt was hung from a bridge in front of the club's training centre ahead of the Madrid derby two weeks ago.
The mannequin was hung next to a banner in Atletico Madrid's red and white colours that read "Madrid hates Real" during the early hours of January 26, police said.
Prosecutors in Madrid decided not press charges over racist chanting aimed at Vinicius in September after finding it had "lasted a few seconds" and had not constituted a crime.
In December, Vinicius accused LaLiga of continuing to do nothing about racist fans at matches, after videos on social media showed some shouting abuse and throwing objects at him during a match the previous day at Valladolid.
Pele, Neymar and other leading Brazilian figures leapt to the defence of Vinicius in September after a panelist on a Spanish soccer show criticised the forward.
The panelist said Vinicius was not respecting opponents with his celebrations, comparing his behaviour to that of a monkey - which immediately sparked a backlash on social media.
Vinicius issued a two-minute video statement at the time in response to what he called a "xenophobic and racist" insult, saying he "won't stop dancing" and that "the happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers" many people.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius's teammates have been urging LaLiga and authorities to take action to protect the Brazilian from what they are calling "a hunt" by rivals' defenders.
Having suffered 79 fouls so far this season, Vinicius is the most fouled player in Europe's top seven leagues by a big margin, followed by his countryman Neymar at PSG with 59 fouls.
Barca beat Sevilla to extend Liga lead, Real lose
Barcelona stretched their LaLiga lead over Real Madrid to a substantial eight points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday.
The Catalans, aiming to win their first Spanish title since 2019, punished second-placed Madrid for their 1-0 defeat by Real Mallorca earlier on, opening up a wide gap ahead of their rivals.
However coach Xavi Hernandez said Barca would not allow any "euphoria" to creep in, urging his players to shut the door on a potential Madrid comeback.
"They are still the favourites because they are the reigning LaLiga and Champions League champions," said Xavi.
"I know that Real Madrid will keep competing until the end. There have been historic comebacks, we can't let that happen."
After a tight first half Jordi Alba broke the deadlock before the hour mark, with further goals from Gavi and Raphinha helping wrap up the win.
The victory was their 10th in their last 11 league games, while Barca are now unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions.
Xavi's side have conceded just seven goals in LaLiga this season, with this their 15th clean sheet.
Barcelona's gameplan was initially set back when captain Sergio Busquets was forced off with an ankle sprain after just four minutes, replaced by Franck Kessie.
Jorge Sampaoli's Sevilla, 16th after a dismal start to the season, sat deep with five defenders and looked to frustrate the Catalans.
Eventually Alba pounced with a tidy finish after a superb assist from Kessie.
Raphinha teed up Gavi for the second with a raking low pass that left the youngster with a tap-in at the back post.
The Brazilian winger provided the cutting edge on a slick 17-pass team move for the goal, in an impressive outing in place of the injured Ousmane Dembele.
Alba crossed for Raphinha to finish from point-blank range for the third goal, wrapping up a satisfying day for the hosts.
Sevilla's former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was serenaded by home fans but left dismayed at his team's lack of intent.
"I think that to be able to take something from Camp Nou, you have to be a lot braver," the Croatian told DAZN.
FRUSTRATED VINICIUS
Real Madrid's hopes of retaining the LaLiga title were dented in their defeat by Javier Aguirre's determined Mallorca, in which Marco Asensio missed a penalty.
Nacho's 13th-minute looping header into his own net separated the teams in a hard-fought clash, frequently slowed by various fouls from the hosts.
Amid a constant battle between winger Vinicius Junior and Mallorca's players and supporters, the islanders held off Los Blancos to record an impressive victory.
Vinicius suffered 10 fouls and Mallorca committed 29 in total.
"I think everything that is happening and has happened is not Vini's fault, Vini just wants to play football, and beyond that, there's an atmosphere of provocation," explained Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"They foul him, that is what is happening."
Real Madrid were without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, hurt during the warm-up, along with the injured Karim Benzema, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy, among other absentees.
The match was heated from the start, largely due to historic bad blood between Vinicius and Mallorca.
After Nacho's early own goal Vinicius was booked for stepping on Pablo Maffeo's foot, leaving the Brazilian incredulous after various fouls against him had not been punished with a card.
Vinicius pulled at the Madrid badge on his shirt while looking at the home fans to agitate them further.
Early in the second half Mallorca captain Antonio Raillo responded by offering Vinicius the Mallorca badge on his shirt to kiss.
Madrid had a golden chance to level before the hour mark when Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic brought down Vinicius, but the Serbian denied Asensio from the spot.
Madrid will have to put defeat behind them quickly as they travel to Morocco midweek to take part in the Club World Cup.
Real Sociedad, third, could not cut their six-point deficit on Madrid as they lost 1-0 at home against Real Valladolid.
Earlier Valencia, 17th, fell to a 1-0 defeat at Girona, who kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Nacho blunder gifts Mallorca upset win over Real Madrid
Champions Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Mallorca in LaLiga on Sunday thanks to a bizarre own goal by defender Nacho early in the first half.
Nacho left his teammates stunned as he tried to clear a cross in the 13th minute and headed the ball high over his own goalkeeper and into the net.
Real dominated the match but missed several chances including a golden opportunity to equalise in the 59th minute when Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic saved a poor penalty from Marco Asensio.
"I put my head in the way and bad luck that ball goes straight through the top left angle... This is football," Nacho told Movistar Plus.
"But we also missed a penalty, had some clear chances that we have not managed to score.
"It was a very difficult match. They defended very well throughout the game... A pity, because we are missing three points."
A windy afternoon in Mallorca was bad news for Real Madrid before the match started.
Missing forward Karim Benzema and defender Eder Militao to injuries through injury, coach Carlo Ancelotti had another selection headache when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a groin injury during the warm-up.
It was 23-year-old Ukrainian keeper Andriy Lunin who had the misfortune to watch Nacho's header looping over him but he had little to do as Real dominated Mallorca from the start.
They had almost 75 per cent of possession against a side who recorded their only shot on target in the 84th minute, mustering 20 attempts on goal to Mallorca's four.
But Real's only effort on target was Asensio's spot-kick, a low strike to the left of the goalkeeper who easily palmed it round the post.
The champions travel on Monday to the Club World Cup in Morocco and they face Egypt's Al Ahly in Rabat on Wednesday.
Atletico draw with Getafe, Elche finally win
Atletico Madrid were unable to tighten their grip on fourth place in La Liga as they suffered a 1-1 draw with lowly Getafe on Saturday.
Angel Correa sent Atletico ahead in the derby clash but Enes Unal clinically converted a penalty to level for the relegation-battling visitors.
Saul, who was Atletico's hero last weekend off the bench, scoring the winner against Osasuna, became the villain at the Metropolitano.
The Spanish midfielder handled Borja Mayoral's header in the box to concede the penalty a few minutes after coming on.
"We went in front making a great effort, we tried in every way, we played the game we wanted to play," Atletico coach Diego Simeone told DAZN.
"Circumstances are not predictable, we didn't get the second goal and what appears in football appeared -- a penalty in a play which was not dangerous.
"But we have to keep improving."
Simeone's side dominated the first half but failed to create many clear chances.
However they moved ahead on the hour mark when Correa fired home after Thomas Lemar's shot was saved.
The goal was initially flagged offside but was awarded after checking on VAR, by which time Correa had been substituted, celebrating his strike already wearing a big coat on the sidelines.
"The play for the goal was a bit weird," Correa told DAZN.
"They thought it was offside, there were doubts about it, then Cholo made the change and in the end it was a goal, it was a bit strange."
Correa also said he thought his team deserved a penalty when Getafe's Djene Dakonam appeared to drag down Alvaro Morata in the area in the first half.
"I think it was a clear penalty on Alvaro and a second yellow card for the defender," added Correa.
"But it's always the same for us. We don't want them to gift us anything, just be fair, because it was a clear penalty."
Atletico's joy was shortlived, with Unal firing home from the spot in the 83rd minute after Saul's handball.
Yannick Carrasco flashed a shot wide after a surging run down the left flank as Atletico chased a late winner.
The Belgium winger wildly hammered another effort over the bar from distance with Simeone urging his team forward from the sidelines.
Atletico striker Memphis Depay, on as a substitute, angrily appealed for a penalty when he tangled with Djene in the box but referee Mateu Lahoz ignored him.
Getafe goalkeeper David Soria made a fine save to keep the Dutch forward at bay at the death.
Atletico stay fourth but missed a chance to move closer to Real Sociedad, third, four points above the Rojiblancos with a game in hand.
Getafe are 19th on 18 points, two from safety.
20TH TIME LUCKY
Earlier, La Liga's bottom side Elche stunned Villarreal 3-1, winning their first game all season.
The Yellow Submarine, provisionally fifth, are chasing Champions League qualification but were sunk by a Pere Milla hat-trick at the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium.
Elche did not manage a win in the first half of the season but finally triumphed in their 20th game, with Milla firing home in the third minute to open the scoring.
Gerard Moreno levelled but Elche moved ahead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Milla converted a penalty after Jorge Cuenca brought down Ezequiel Ponce to restore the advantage for Pablo Machin's side.
The forward then netted again from the spot after he had been fouled in the second half to seal his team's win, although he was taken off injured before the hour mark.
Elche, on nine points, are 11 from safety and have played a game more than Valladolid, 17th, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Espanyol shared a 1-1 draw with Osasuna, Martin Braithwaite equalising for the hosts after Ante Budimir's opener.
Both sides finished with 10 men after Ez Abde and Ronael Pierre-Gabriel were dismissed for second yellow cards in the first half as they scrapped with each other.
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