Carlo Ancelotti was unmoved by the suggestion that his game plan on his team’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona in Saturday’s El Clasico was found wanting, insisting that their first-half display was competitive.
A brace from Robert Lewandowski and goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha earned Barcelona the big win against their rivals.
The win put Barcelona six points clear of the reigning La Liga champions in the league table.
“I do not regret my game plan,” said Ancelotti in his post-match press conference. “I have been in football 48 years, so I’m not wrong when I tell you that the first-half was good.
“It’s different from the loss against Lille. We were very bad that day. We competed today (Saturday).
“We have to learn from this. Self-criticism is fundamental. But we don’t throw everything in the bin.
“Last time we lost 4-0 to Barcelona, we won La Liga and the Champions League. We fight on.”
In his post-match presser, Hansi Flick said his team’s trouncing of Real Madrid was dedicated to their fans, after the club recorded their first La Liga victory at the Bernabeu since March 2022.
Flick has now overseen 10 wins and one defeat as Barcelona coach, as well as a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
And despite a first-half that appeared to swing in favour of Madrid, Flick was at pains to point out that his high line worked as intended.
Barcelona caught their opponents offside 12 times in total, eight of which came in the first period.
“It was a good step for us. We beat one of the best teams in the world.
“How am I living this moment? It’s not about me. It’s about the team, the fans and the club. We are all happy but now we are thinking about the fans because they deserve it.
“I always say that we want to improve, and today wasn’t easy, but we pushed through. We’re in a very good rhythm.”
“At half-time, I told them it was important to keep up the pressure and have more ball control.
“We always play with our final four very high and in the situation with the goals because the referees don’t whistle it always looks dangerous, but it’s not dangerous. So this is the point I don’t like so much.”
