Real Madrid News
Ancelotti wants Real Madrid stars to consider El Clasico against Barcelona as a ‘final’
Real Madrid are gearing up for one of their most important matches of the season as they play hosts to FC Barcelona, in the revered El Clasico.
The Whites are heading into this game level on points with their arch-rivals, meaning a win this weekend could see them overtake the Catalans at the top of the table.
Barça are coming into this game on the back of a draw with Inter Milan that more or less confirms their elimination from the UEFA Champions League group stages, for the second consecutive season.
In light of their poor result, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping his team can hurt Barcelona even more by securing win in this season’s first El Clasico.
According to Tomas Roncero on El Chiringuito, talking to the players before yesterday’s training session, Ancelotti said: “Barça are dead right now and the only way they can revive is by beating us on Sunday. We cannot let them win again. This is a final.”
Following a run of five successive defeats from 2020 to 2022, Barcelona have fared well against Real Madrid under the leadership of Xavi Hernandez.
Earlier this year, Barça had beaten Los Blancos 4-0 in La Liga. The Catalans continued their momentum by beating their arch-rivals in a pre-season friendly in the US, earlier this summer. They won the game 1-0, with new signing Raphinha scoring the winner.
However, a lot has happened since and with Barcelona undergoing a crisis, both from a sporting and a financial perspective, they are facing an uphill task of getting back to winning ways.
Real Madrid will hope to make good use of their opponent’s lack of momentum and seal all three points this weekend.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian national team are ‘dreaming’ of appointing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager.
The Selecao decided to part ways with Tite after the team underdelivered in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Ramon Menezes has taken charge of the senior team for the time being until a permanent appointment is made.
And, the Brazil Football Confederation is clear about who their preferred target is. Ancelotti has been heavily linked with the South American nation in recent months and comments from players like Ederson, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr have only served to further fuel the rumours.
Now, Romano is claiming that Brazil dream of naming Ancelotti as their manager and are hoping that he will be parting ways with Real Madrid at the end of the season.
As far as the situation at the club is concerned, Romano states that Real Madrid are working hard to protect Ancelotti from external pressure as they want him to remain focused on winning the UEFA Champions League this season.
The Italian tactician remains in 100% control of the team at the moment and the club are trying to shield him from external factors.
However, at the same time, trophies are a must at a club of this stature and hence, Romano adds that Real Madrid have a potential list of candidates to take over.
Thomas Tuchel was among the names on the list, but has signed for Bayern Munich. Raul Gonzalez, currently in charge of the Castilla team, is also being looked at along with former Tottenham and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino.
As of now, Ancelotti remains in control of things at Real Madrid and any decision on his future will only be made at the end of the season. And, Brazil are lying in wait to pounce if an opportunity to sign the Italian manager presents itself.
