Laporta: LaLiga title would show Barcelona takeover is on track

Winning La Liga this season would show that 'Barcelona's recovery process is on the right track', according to president Joan Laporta.

Barça have suffered from poor finances and disappointing performances on the pitch in recent years.

They last won the league title in the 2018-19 campaign, while an exit from the Champions League group stage this season means their seven-year wait to lift the trophy best European club for the sixth time extends.

Barca are, however, enjoying a domestic resurgence under Xavi, who has returned as coach after a legendary playing career with the club.

Xavi is Barca's eighth head coach since Pep Guardiola left in 2012 and his side led La Liga ahead of the World Cup break.

"The priority objective is La Liga," Laporta told reporters. "Clear and low.

"The locker room, with Xavi at the helm, is clear about that.

"We want to win La Liga to show that the club's takeover process is on the right track."

It looks like it will be a two-horse race for the title with Real Madrid, who are two points behind Barca but emerged victorious when the teams met at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.

Barça will resume their league campaign against city rivals Espanyol on December 31.