Xavi's new Barca leapfrog Atletico, hammering them thanks to the first-half perfect storm at Camp Nou

The last time Barcelona netted three times in the first half against Atletico Madrid, was in January 2015, and the Blaugrana's squad was packed with stars such as Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez, Iniesta...

Those times have long gone, but one of the Catalan legends, Xavi, has obviously done his best to bring back that old charm and winning mentality to the Camp Nou outfit, that clinched a vital 4-2 (3-1) home victory to leapfrog Atletico Madrid at the La Liga table.

Moreover, once exquisite midfielder and now the promising coach has managed to do something even more important - pour in a substantial amount of confidence into the squad comprised of many young, and inexperienced players. That's the reason Gavi, Pedri and the crew pulled off an incredible, furious comeback after conceding a goal just eight minutes into the game.

Diego Simeone's slot launched a superb, simple yet effective counter-attack, with the former cule Luis Suarez assisting swiftly to Carrasco who exploited Araujo's late reaction to open the scoring in a hostile environment.

However, it didn't take long to see Barca's response. And it came with a magnificent delivery of none other than full-back Jordi Alba. It was a breathtaking volley, precise, accurate and as lovely as it gets.

Not even Barcelona fans could have known the game won't stay long in such a stalemate, as one of the tiniest players out there Gavi nailed a header ten minutes later following Adama Traore's cross to put the hosts in front.

Atleti found themselves with their backs to the wall but had quite a few chances to bring back the balance. Joao Felix's awful finishing prevented them from tying the game at two, while Stefan Savic joined his attacking buddies with more than a decent header that, unfortunately for them, went just inches wide.

Those two misses were punished heavily at the end of the half, as Ronald Araujo knocked it from a few yards out left totally unmarked in the opponents area after a set-piece.

The new Barca embellished with some of that old charm didn't stop there. After the break, they returned with an obvious determination to finish the business and trump the favourites so they couldn't come back from that one-way street.

And just like in the first three occasions, the fourth Barcelona's goal came as a result of a peculiar cross from the flank. This time, it was veteran Dani Alves who made the most of it, hammering Atleti's much-confused defence.

The visitors deprived of hope still somehow managed to fight back despite being three down. Who other than former Barca forward Luis Suarez placed it in the back of the net thanks to his trademark header in the opposite six-yard-box.

However, the moment all have been waiting for came a few minutes later as today unplayable Adama Traore - who seems to be enjoying his return to Barca - left the pitch to make a place for another debutant. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his first minutes in the blue and red shirt, cheered by the thousands of fans.

Unlike him, Ousman Dembele was welcomed with a wave of undisputed anger and booing from the terraces for his behaviour in the recent transfer window.

They weren't happy at all too when the referee sent off the above mentioned Dani Alves for a horrendous challenge on Yannick Carrasco. Ten-men Barca, however, was able to defend properly and avoid conceding another one despite more than 20 minutes left on the clock.

After this electric derby and a much-deserved victory, it seems that Xavi Hernandez has found the actual formula for Barca's renaissance.

LA LIGA - ROUND 23

Friday

Getafe - Levante 3-0 (2-0)

/Unal 1, 29, Alena 90+5/

Saturday

Elche - Deportivo Alaves 3-1 (0-1)

/Milla 46, 58, Fidel 86 - Joselu 18/

Real Mallorca - Cadiz 2-1 (1-1)

/Sevilla 20 pen, Muriqi 66 pen - Alcaraz 8/

Celta Vigo - Rayo Vallecano 2-0 (1-0)

/Mendez 12, 80/

Osasuna - Sevilla 0-0

Sunday

Valencia - Real Sociedad 0-0

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid 4-2 (2-1)

/Jordi Alba 10, Gavi 21, Araujo 43 - Carrasco 8, Luis Suarez 58/

20:30 Real Betis - Villarreal

23:00 Real Madrid - Granada

Monday

23:00 Athletic Club - Espanyol

***odds are subject to change