Real Madrid coach Ancelotti not losing any sleep for El Clasico vs Barcelona

Carlo Ancelotti downplayed pressure ahead of El Clasico, acknowledging both Real Madrid and Barcelona's strong form. With high stakes and recent success against Barcelona, Ancelotti emphasised staying focused without overthinking this highly anticipated clash.

In Short

• Ancelotti expressed confidence, not overthinking the El Clasico clash
• Barcelona clinched an 4-2 win over Bayern Munich
• Real Madrid secured a 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti conveyed that he’s keeping his focus grounded ahead of the much-anticipated El Clasico clash with FC Barcelona on October 27. Despite the intense buzz surrounding the fixture, Ancelotti emphasized that he’s not overthinking the match, viewing it as a showdown between two evenly-matched sides in top form. He expressed confidence in his team’s approach, insisting on taking the game as it comes rather than dwelling on expectations.

After Real Madrid’s impressive 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, Ancelotti was quick to turn his attention to the El Clasico. Ancelotti acknowledged Barcelona's strong form, noting that both teams are currently riding high on confidence and excellent performances, making it difficult to predict an outcome.

“The team is doing well and is motivated. The Clásicos are competitive and hard-fought matches, and they are also very entertaining. It is a celebration of football and we want to do well in front of our fans,” Ancelotti said.

“The truth is that they are doing very well. In a match like the Clasico it is very difficult to choose a favourite. Fortunately, no one is keeping me up at night at the moment...It depends on the dynamics of the match. It’s difficult to choose a favourite beforehand. It’s a question of how you are able to handle the pressure, the moments of the match,” Ancelotti added.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s recent 4-1 triumph over Bayern Munich underscored the strength of their attack under Hansi Flick. With Raphinha netting a hat-trick against Bayern, and Vinicius Jr. achieving the same feat against Dortmund, both forwards will step into Sunday’s game with heightened momentum, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the clash.

Historically, Real Madrid has held the upper hand in recent El Clasico encounters, while Barcelona has experienced challenges due to managerial instability and financial concerns. However, Flick’s management has stabilized Barcelona, and they now lead the La Liga standings, three points clear of Madrid.

The El Clasico, now a top-of-the-table clash, comes with high stakes as Real Madrid aims to level the points with their rivals. The fixture promises to be one of the season’s most thrilling encounters, as both teams are poised to bring their best. Ancelotti’s steady approach reflects his confidence in Real Madrid’s ability to perform in high-pressure games, especially with Los Blancos looking to preserve their recent dominance in El Clasico showdowns.