Barcelona manager Xavi has denied making a 'dig' at Diego Simeone following his side's 4-2 triumph over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Yannick Carrasco fired the Nou Camp visitors into an early lead before Barca hit back, scoring four goals in reply with their only four attempts on target in the game.
Jordi Alba, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Dani Alves all found themselves on the scoresheet before Luis Suarez pulled one back against his old club and Alves saw red for a raking challenge.
Much of the build-up to the hotly-contested La Liga clash centred on the supposed mind-games between the two managers, however Xavi played down such talk after his side's victory.
Prior to the game, Simeone took aim at the Barca boss after taking offence over his previous comments regarding Atleti's style of play.
The Argentine declared: “Xavi once said that Atletico 's style was not for big teams. Now he has the opportunity to show the football he wants to.”
However, in the aftermath of the match, the Barca club icon was quick to explain that his initial remarks were misinterpreted and dismissed talk of making a 'dig' towards his managerial counterpart.
“(When I talk about Simeone) it's not a dig, we see football in different ways," Xavi clarified. "It's not a criticism.
“He's a great coach in the way he wants to play. And they are the reigning champions so this win has a lot of merit.
“He understands football in another way. There are a thousand different ways to play. They feel comfortable without the ball. When we don’t have it, I don't feel comfortable.”
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Simeone is renowned for ensuring his Atletico side play a tenacious, dogged style of football which is based on defence organisation and aims to stifle opponents.
Having shipped four goals in the Nou Camp on Sunday, the reigning Spanish champions have now conceded on 30 occasions in La Liga this season - already five more than they did in their entirety of their title-clinching campaign last time out.
January recruits Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore both made their Barcelona bows, and it was the latter in particular who proved to be a thorn in Atletico's side.
The former Wolves winger grabbed an assist after being handed a start for his second debut and his constant threat even forced Simeone into a formation change.
“'It was a great debut for Adama," Xavi added. “He's a pure winger and a great signing.
"He knows when to take players on and when to pass. And physically he is a beast.”
Shamed Arsenal striker Aubameyang also made his eagerly anticipated debut following his deadline day move from the Emirates, replacing Traore just after the hour mark.
It proved to be a winning start for the former Premier League pair and the precious three points saw Barcelona leapfrog Sunday's opponents into fourth spot in the La Liga standings and an all-important Champions League spot.
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