Real Madrid must avoid mistakes from Clasico thrashing: Ancelotti

AFP | Riyadh
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his team can avenge their heavy defeat to Barcelona earlier this season and lift the Spanish Super Cup trophy on Sunday, provided they avoid repeating the errors that led to their downfall.

In October, Hansi Flick's Barcelona thrashed Los Blancos 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in a La Liga clash. However, Real Madrid bounced back before the winter break and regained their position at the top of the league standings.

Reflecting on the earlier defeat, Ancelotti said during a press conference, “We have to think about that game, obviously. They beat us, and we had a clear evaluation of what went wrong. We started well but had problems in the second half. This time, we need to replicate the good things we did and eliminate the mistakes.”

A High-Stakes Clasico Final

Sunday’s match in Jeddah promises to be a high-pressure encounter, as the iconic El Clasico rivalry takes center stage in the final. “The Clasico is always special, but it’s even more intense when it’s a final,” said Ancelotti.

The coach emphasized the importance of balance in Madrid’s gameplay, particularly in defense. With attacking stars like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes, Madrid possess formidable firepower but have struggled at times to maintain defensive stability.

“Individual quality has often prevailed over team balance in recent Clasicos,” Ancelotti noted. “An important aspect tomorrow will be collective work, especially in defending. If you defend well, your chances of winning increase.”

Learning from Setbacks

Ancelotti acknowledged that Barcelona’s victory earlier in the season was his worst memory from an otherwise successful 2024, during which Madrid won both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

“We’re close to another trophy and thinking positively,” he said. “But we also understand that in football, anything can happen, especially against a strong and competitive team like Barcelona.”

Madrid’s Momentum

This season, Madrid have already secured the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, bolstering their confidence heading into Sunday’s final.

As Real Madrid prepare to face their arch-rivals, fans and players alike will be hoping for a display that showcases both attacking brilliance and defensive solidity, as they aim to add another piece of silverware to their collection.