FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face one another for the fourth time this season tomorrow as the two teams go into a crucial game that can prove to be the decisive one for this La Liga race.
In the three earlier encounters between the two sides, the Blaugranes emerged victorious in all of them, and won two trophies in the process, i.e., the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
However, this last El Clasico might be the most important one, mainly because of the impact it can have on the league race at this late phase of the season.
Special match for Carlo Ancelotti
Still, Carlo Ancelotti will be keener to win this match, as he is highly likely to leave Real Madrid at the end of this season, and this might be his last El Clásico.
Hansi Flick has already addressed a presser, and, as SPORT has reported, now the Italian coach has also addressed a press conference ahead of this game, in which he commented on several aspects of Barcelona’s season and game.
Talking about the game tomorrow, Ancelotti said:
“In this type of match, you have to do things right. They want to pin you in your own half—they’ve done it against every team. We have to take advantage of their weaknesses. They’ve had a great season, but it’s a match with a lot at stake. We have to play well. We have to defend well, a complete game, like every clásico has always been.”
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, interacts with Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, prior to the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti greets Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. [Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images]
Importance of tomorrow’s game
The Italian admitted that a loss tomorrow will pave the way for Barcelona to win the league:
“Winning a league is difficult because you need consistency. The fact that we’re close explains what tomorrow’s match will be like. If Barça wins tomorrow, they have a better chance than we do, but if we win, anything can happen.”
The Real Madrid manager also commented on the Blaugranes’ elimination from the UCL:
“I don’t feel relieved by Barça’s elimination. It was a great match, very competitive. Inter will reach the final, and they deserve congratulations, but Barça came very close. If they had qualified, no one could have said anything. The final will be very evenly matched.”
There is no doubt that this will be an emotional affair for Carlo Ancelotti, as he faced Barcelona for the last time with Real Madrid. However, with the stakes so high, both teams will give their all to deal a decisive blow on their opponents in this league race.