Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí has said she is adjusting to a new reality as she continues to make her way back to full fitness after breaking her leg last year.
Bonmatí, 28, came off the bench as Barça thumped Real Madrid 7-0 in Liga F on Sunday to make just her third appearance of the season.
She had initially returned from a fractured fibula at the end of April, featuring in last year's Champions League final, but was forced to slow down again at the start of the new campaign.
"I am gaining match rhythm little by little, it's been a while since I played without any niggles," she said after coming on as a substitute for the third time in a week.
"It's the first serious injury I have had. Now I know what it's about and I am learning to have patience. I am used to playing everything, but this is my reality right now.
"I'm doing my bit to get back to where I was -- or even better -- and building my confidence, because when you're playing fewer minutes than usual, it shows."
Without Bonmatí, Barça put on an exhibition against Madrid in the first half at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday in front of a record Liga F crowd of 40,533, scoring five times before the break to exert their Clásico dominance.
Following the summer exits of Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Ona Batlle and Salma Paralluelo, there had been questions about how well the European and Spanish champions would perform this season.
They have been firmly answered so far, with the Blaugrana winning all six of their opening Liga F games to build a five-point lead over Madrid, while also winning their opening two Champions League fixtures.
"There has been a lot of talk about the team, but we deliver on the pitch," Bonmatí added.
"We believe in ourselves and, despite the changes, we're still performing at a very high level, which is down to everyone at the club."
With stalwarts from a generation of success such as Putellas leaving, and with Bonmatí and summer signing Kerolin among the substitutes, it was Clàudia Pina, playing centrally, who stepped up against Madrid.
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The Spain forward starred with four goals in an insatiable first half as Barça showed no mercy to a Madrid side who came into the fixture unbeaten this season and after drawing with English champions Manchester City in midweek.
"Pina is more of a wide player than a central one, but we put her there out of necessity," Barça coach Pere Romeu said.
"She is good on the ball and, once she's inside the opposition's box, she's able to score goals with such ease.
"It's genuinely impressive everything she's achieving at the moment. She's in great form, playing well, and I am delighted to her."
While Barça were favourites for the match, Madrid were not expected to be on the end of such a heavy defeat after a summer of investment which saw them break their transfer record to sign Felicia Schröder.
"It was absolute domination," Romeu added. "I think Madrid can play better. They are a good team, but our performance was perfect, finding the spaces in between the lines and in behind.
"It must be tough [for Madrid coach Pau Quesada] to be on the end of a result like this. They have to keep working hard. The next Clásico will be more competitive."