La Masia driving Barcelona towards Saturday's clásico against Madrid

Barcelona have managed to close their first three Champions League games this season with victories. The competition that the team had struggled in during the last two seasons, twice exiting at the group stages, has become a small balm this year.

Something has changed in the team, which had given up last season when injuries struck, but this time with more depth on the bench and an unparalleled response from the youngsters and the academy, they have been able to overcome them. Xavi mentioned in the build-up that up to 12 players in the squad were trained in La Masia.

It is true that Wednesday's opponent Shakhtar Donetsk were not very accurate in the final third, but they did play a game that made Barça sweat in a match of high physical demand and a lot of clashes. It was an ideal test for Saturday's Clasico, which Barça will be looking to take the lead at the top of LaLiga from Real Madrid, boosted by the team's good run of form and the La Masia graduates, who have saved the team. 

No one would be surprised if the clásico is marked by the emergence of a home-grown player to take the colours out of Real Madrid. Xavi has already said that he sees the youngsters ready and if they are in top form, this team can counteract the 'Bellingham team' on Saturday at Montjuïc.