The two clubs locked horns in the Spanish Supercopa in the summer, with Barca coming out on top 5-4 on aggregate after two closely-contested games.
Despite falling short against their Catalan rivals, Madrid showed clear signs of improvement when compared to last season, and Xabi Alonso believes his team have closed the gap on the Camp Nou outfit.
"In the two Supercopa matches, it was seen we were at Barcelona's level," he told Radio Marca.
