Manager insists Los Blancos can only win if they “play a complete game”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that the team will need to be at their very best to beat rivals Barcelona in the clásico this weekend, with La Liga’s biggest game of the season set to decide the fate of the title.
With just four matches left, Barcelona sit four points clear at the top of the table. A home win against Real Madrid would all but seal the league crown for the Catalan side. But Los Blancos know that if they can pull off a victory, the title race would be blown wide open again.
Speaking ahead of the match, Ancelotti said his side must get everything right on the night.
“In this type of game you have to do things well,” said Ancelotti. “Barcelona are used to keeping the opponent in their own area, but no team is perfect.
“It’s a game where there’s a lot at stake and to win you have to manage everything well, defend well, attack well. We have to play a complete game.”
Real Madrid have lost all three previous meetings with Barcelona this season, including the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey final. In the latter game, Jules Kounde scored in extra time to seal a comeback win for Barcelona, after Madrid themselves had achieve a comeback in normal time. After the game, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal boasted that Madrid “simply can’t beat us” this year.
But Ancelotti believes that his players will have all they need mentally to try and win the game.
“It’s not difficult to motivate the players because it’s the type of match for which the players already come out motivated and with a lot of confidence,” said the Italian boss.
He added: “We both have a lot at stake. Barca will have more chances than us, but if we win, it will still be all to play for.”
