If there is a better feeling for Barça fans than how I feel after we have just beaten Real Madrid, then I’d love to experience it!

Watching Pep Guardiola mastermind his fourth straight El Clasico win over the eternal enemy has been the highlight of the year so far for me.?
It was hyped as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo (a battle which Messi comfortably won!) but Barca’s all round team performance was superb. At no point did I feel we would not win.?

Messi and Pedro took their goals with class and ease, the defense was solid, the midfield – led by the outstanding, man-of-the-match Xavi, controlled the game while Victor Valdes was alert and up to the challenge whenever Madrid did breach the defense.

Madrid looked like a collection of expensive players thrown together at the last minute. Sure, they have many fine players, but Barça was superior in every department.

But for me, the night belonged to Xavi. His assists for both goals were typically perfect; he rarely gave the ball away and dictated the play. Of course, it’s not the first time he’s done that. Barça fans see it on a regular basis. But he was peerless on Saturday night. If he has as good a World Cup as the season he is having so far, then FIFA might as well give Spain the trophy now.

I was also delighted to see Pedro get another goal in a high-pressure match. Having scored goals in six different tournaments this season, he has completed the set by scoring in El Clasico!

I had predicted great things from him in the Champions League Quarter Final against Arsenal and, while he worked hard, he never hit the heights. But he has put that right ever since.

Speaking of Arsenal, I have given up trying to think of a superlative to describe Messi’s performance! I was left speechless on the night and time hasn’t helped me find the right words!

Before last season’s final against Manchester United, the English press took great pleasure in reminding everyone that Messi had never scored against an English team! With the header last May and the four against Arsenal – I think we can safely say he’s rammed that rubbish back down the critics throats!

But for the team, the challenges start now. We have already overcome the first hurdle – beating Deportivo immediately after the Bernabeu win. Another great controlled performance, with plenty of thrills for the fans!

Espanyol will be a different animal on Saturday though. This is the first tough game of the run in and will be quickly followed by the Inter Milan semi final.

Anyone who thinks La Liga was won the moment we beat Madrid is wrong. We still have to earn it. And we’ll have to do so without Andres Iniesta. His injury is a blow. We still have to travel to Villarreal and Sevilla too. ?

Inter will provide a much sterner test than Arsenal. Arsene Wenger wanted his side to match Barca in terms of skill and attractive football. But they discovered that Barca were on another planet to them. Inter won’t be so open or inexperienced.

Not only will Jose Mourinho want to get one over on us, we have the small matter of Samuel Eto’o facing us again. Having played Inter in the group stages, it won’t be as emotional. But we know better than anyone just how great a striker he is.?However, despite this tough set of fixtures, we have Guardiola guiding us. If anyone will know how to make sure the team’s feet are on the ground and their minds are on the job it’s him.

Like last season, these are exciting times for FC Barcelona. We have the coach and players capable of achieving great things each time they step out on to the Camp Nou turf. Let’s hope they continue to show the world they are the perfect club over the coming six weeks.