Barcelona went back to the top of La Liga a week before the Clasico – it wasn’t pretty but Pedri’s first half goal was enough to see them beat Celta Vigo and displace Real Madrid at the summit.

Once the Spain international midfielder had put them in front their defensive strength saw them over the line – a recalled Gerard Pique was outstanding and keeper Marc Andre ter Stegen maintained Barca’s impressive record of only conceding once in the league all season.

They will need to play better next week at the Bernabeu – and even more importantly on Wednesday in their must-win Champions League home game with Inter. Xavi’s first full season is on the line in those two games.

Barcelona went back to the top of LaLiga a week before the Clasico, but it wasn’t pretty

Barcelona took the lead on 17 minutes and it was goal made and scored by the teenage pair Gavi and Pedri. The 18-year-old crossed and when

Unai Nunez cleared the 19-year-old scrambled in the rebound for his third goal of the season.

Barcelona dominated the first half but could not extend their lead. They left the pitch feeling hard done by with referee Jose Luis Munuera ignoring claims that Raphinha had been fouled in the area by Javi Galan.

Pique blocked from Oscar Rodriguez in the second half as Celta pressed. Ter Stegen was still feeling his hip from a bad fall in the second period and he played a loose pass straight out to the same player but Celta were unable to make the most.

Barcelona were struggling to find Lewandowski while at the other end Celta found Iago Aspas and a save with his left boot from Ter Stegen pushed the shot out for a corner and kept Barcelona in front with six minutes left.

There were two more saves and Ter Stegen saved brilliantly from Carles Perez just after Aspas had hit the post. Both times Celta were offside so the goals would not have counted.

Barca played out time knowing they had not been at their best – much like their Clasico rivals Real Madrid the night before. There were plusses beyond the win though. Pique was majestic in the heart of defence. He looks capable of staying true to his promise of finishing the season as first choice.

And in front of him – at the other end of the generation gap – Gavi and Pedri impressed in midfield. Boisterous Gavi scrapping with everyone in his path, giving Barca a midfield edge they wouldn’t have without him. And Pedri sublime at times in possession drifting past Celta midfielders with the ball never leaving his feet.

Barca will need more than that to beat Inter on Wednesday and Real Madrid next Sunday but this was something for Xavi to build on. He had sent out an under-strength side with three left backs in the team. Alex Balde had to play on the right and Marco Alonso played as a left centre-back. The hope is that Kounde will be back for the big games.

It had been enough, just. If Xavi had been offered being top after eight games at the start of the season he would have taken it. The goal difference advantage now needs to be maintained coming out of next Sunday’s Clasico.