Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Manager
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence that his team could avenge their earlier season defeat by Barcelona and claim victory in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and maintaining focus in the high-pressure Clasico showdown.
Barcelona, under Hansi Flick’s management, had thrashed Los Blancos 4-0 in October at the Santiago Bernabeu during a La Liga clash.
However, a subsequent dip in form for the Catalans allowed Real Madrid to reclaim the league’s top spot before the winter break. Reflecting on the earlier defeat, Ancelotti remarked, “We have to think about that game, obviously.
They beat us, and we had a clear evaluation of what happened. We started the game well, then had problems in the second half. So we have to try and repeat the good things we did and avoid the mistakes we made.”
The stakes are higher this time, with the Super Cup trophy on the line. Ancelotti acknowledged the unique intensity of a Clasico final, saying, “The Clasico is even more pressured when it’s a final. We’ve played a lot against Barcelona, and playing a final against them is always something special.”
Real Madrid’s attacking lineup, bolstered by the addition of French superstar Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has proven to be a formidable force. Alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes, Madrid boasts an array of offensive talents. However, Ancelotti cautioned that these strengths could also be a vulnerability if the team neglects defensive discipline. “(In recent Clasicos) individual quality has prevailed over team balance,” he noted. “An important aspect tomorrow will be balance and collective work—defending. If you defend well, there’s more chance of winning.”
The earlier loss to Barcelona remains a sore spot for Ancelotti, who admitted it was his worst memory from a highly successful 2024 campaign in which Madrid secured both La Liga and the Champions League titles. Despite this, he remains optimistic about his team’s trajectory.
“We’re close to another trophy. We’re thinking positively, but we know that in football, anything can happen, above all when the opponent is strong and competes well like Barcelona,” he said.
“Our team has improved, nobody can argue with that. A defeat wouldn’t be good, but the team is not going backwards—it will keep moving forwards.”
Barcelona, on the other hand, has been granted a controversial temporary licence for midfielder Dani Olmo by Spain’s national sports council (CSD). While Olmo is eligible to play, Ancelotti stressed the importance of neutralizing his influence. “Olmo will play, and we have to minimize his quality,” he commented, avoiding delving into the controversy surrounding the case.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s head coach, confirmed Olmo’s readiness to play but hinted that he might not start, given Gavi’s impressive performance in the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. “Gavi had a great performance against Athletic; he’s got confidence. I think he’s going to play, but I am not 100 percent sure of who will start,” said Flick.
For Flick, the Super Cup represents his first opportunity to win silverware since taking charge at Barcelona. “If we win, we will have more confidence for the rest of the season,” he stated. “Winning the game would be something really big for everyone.”
With both teams aiming for glory, the Super Cup final promises an intense and closely fought battle. Ancelotti’s focus on balance and defensive strength will be tested against Flick’s dynamic Barcelona side as the two rivals clash for supremacy.
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