Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in the third game in a row to help Barcelona get the better of them and secure an easy 4-0 home win against Athletic Club in LaLiga on Sunday.
The win moved Xavi Hernandez's side to fourth in the standings on 45 points, 15 behind Real Madrid and ahead of fifth-place Atletico Madrid on goal difference in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Xavi has propelled his squad to recent results, including a midweek win over Napoli that propelled them into the last-16 in the Europa League. Asked about his team's hopes of challenging the LaLiga title, the manager said they are taking it very seriously.
"I've said we're not ruling anything out. Madrid are strong, like Sevilla. We have to climb the table. We're dealing with the world with the utmost humility, taking things game-wise. Now We prepare for Elche next week," Xavi said. "Nothing else. We have to be humble and keep working hard."
Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang scored in the 37th minute, netting a rebound from a Gerard Pique header from the bar.
The second goal came in the 73rd with a fine finish by substitute Ousmane Dembele, who made peace with Barca fans and received a standing ovation after leaving the club in January due to his reluctance to renew his contract.
The French winger received a long pass from Luc de Jong just outside the box, cleared a defender and fired a shot of a shot that went over the goalkeeper into the top left corner of the net.
Dembele assisted for the third and fourth goals in stoppage time. First, he completely passed de Jong, who scored with a header, then, in the final game of the game, to Memphis Depay, who stroked in a close volley.
Amid tensions between the player and the fans, Xavi praised Dembele's efforts in the match.
"There was not much whistle for Ousmane. The fans rule and they can do whatever they want, but they have to be by our side," Xavi said. "Osman is a great professional who supports the group and is a good guy in the dressing room. He can make a difference on the pitch. This is the best Dembele we've seen today. The fans should support him, he's a professional." "
Xavi also praised Pedri's command in midfield, saying, "I have never seen a player with that talent in the world.
"That talent doesn't exist [anywhere else]. It honestly doesn't exist. He doesn't like to be praised, but I'm saying it pretty clearly because of how humble he is."