After witnessing his team suffer a stunning 4-0 defeat in Saturday’s Clásico at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his dissatisfaction with the exuberant celebrations of Barcelona’s bench following their fourth goal.
Robert Lewandowski made a significant impact by scoring two goals within minutes of each other, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha also contributed to the scoreline, as Barça not only ended Madrid’s impressive 42-game unbeaten streak in LaLiga but also opened up a six-point lead at the top of the league standings.
The celebrations erupted after Raphinha scored his 10th goal of the season, spilling energetically in front of the Madrid bench. Ancelotti confronted Barça coach Hansi Flick regarding the situation, but he clarified that his frustration was directed towards one of Flick’s assistants.
“[The problem] was with the assistant, not with Flick,” Ancelotti articulated during his post-match news conference, seeking to clarify the incident. “The assistant was not a gentleman with the way he celebrated in front of the bench. And Flick agreed with us.”
Flick, addressing the incident during his own press conference, mentioned: “I didn’t see it. I just spoke with Carlo, and it’s normal in this situation when you celebrate a goal; maybe it’s not … we’re old enough to speak about that.”
Madrid had previously triumphed in the last four Clásicos across all competitions, and avoiding defeat in this match would have allowed them to equal Barça’s LaLiga record of a 43-game unbeaten streak.
However, after a competitive first half ended without any goals, Madrid faltered significantly after the break.
Lewandowski’s two goals raised his tally to 17 for the season in all competitions, while young talent Yamal, who became the youngest goalscorer in Clásico history at just 17, as well as Raphinha put the finishing touches on the remarkable victory.
“Until the goal, it was an even game,” Ancelotti reflected. “We had chances and could have scored, but we weren’t clinical. When they score, it saps some energy from you, and it becomes another game. They did a lot of damage on the counter.”
“I liked the first half; we have to follow that line. We don’t have to throw everything away; we just need to forget the last 30 minutes. We can’t give up; we need to learn. We came out of the last defeat well against Atlético Madrid last season, and we must do the same. I am confident we will perform better.”
The game provided a challenging introduction for Kylian Mbappé, who had two goals disallowed for offside and missed several key opportunities.
In total, Mbappé was flagged offside eight times—tying for the most in a LaLiga match over the past 15 seasons—while Los Blancos, who were penalized for a total of 12 offsides, struggled to penetrate Barça’s high defensive line.
“We took risks with his positioning,” Ancelotti commented on Mbappé’s performance. “They play with a high line, and due to fine margins, we have not been able to capitalize on it. He had three or four chances and didn’t convert when we needed him to step up.”
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“The result doesn’t reflect what took place on the pitch. Once Barça took the lead, their confidence surged and shifted the dynamics of the game. We took risks, and they’re a team in form who can be dangerous on the counterattack. This defeat concerns me, but we must regroup quickly. We will stay competitive this season, similar to how we performed last season.”
For Barça, this result capped off a remarkable week, following their impressive 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich just four days prior in the Champions League.
Under Flick’s management, they have won 12 out of 14 matches in all competitions thus far, although the German coach remains grounded.
“We are just beginning our journey and doing quite well,” he remarked. “As I’ve always stated, there’s always room for improvement, and we are making strides. Today, however, posed its challenges. We will persist with our philosophy, as we currently have a good flow that we must maintain.”
“I cherish my role at Barça as well as my experience living in Barcelona. It’s an incredible opportunity, marking a new chapter of my life that feels exceptionally fulfilling. Today we delivered a fantastic performance, and I take great pride in what our team accomplished. How we play is just as crucial.”
“This victory will bolster the players’ confidence. The celebration in the dressing room was remarkable to witness. Moving forward, we have a recovery day planned, followed by a two-day break for the players. Then, our focus will shift to facing Espanyol next weekend.”
Interview with Sam Marsden, Barcelona Correspondent, on the Recent Clásico Victory
Interviewer: Thanks for joining us, Sam. Let’s dive right into the recent Clásico, which ended in a stunning 4-0 victory for Barcelona. What were the key factors that led to this impressive win?
Sam Marsden: It was a remarkable performance from Barcelona, no doubt. Key players like Robert Lewandowski, who scored two crucial goals, and the young talent Lamine Yamal, who made history as the youngest goalscorer in Clásico history at just 17, really stepped up. The team maintained a solid defensive line and effectively capitalized on counterattacks, which ultimately overwhelmed Real Madrid after a competitive first half.
Interviewer: Carlo Ancelotti voiced his frustration with Barcelona’s bench celebrating their fourth goal. How did that incident unfold, and what do you think it says about the intensity of the rivalry?
Sam Marsden: Ancelotti confronted Hansi Flick regarding the exuberant celebrations from one of Flick’s assistants. It underscores the high stakes and emotions involved in these matches—especially when you have a scoreline like 4-0. Flick acknowledged the celebrations but said it’s common in such intense moments. It highlights how passionate both sides are and how, despite being professionals, the emotional current can run high.
Interviewer: You mentioned Lewandowski and Yamal, but what about Kylian Mbappé? How did he perform in this match, and what do you think went wrong for him?
Sam Marsden: Mbappé had a challenging day. He had two goals disallowed for offside and was flagged a total of eight times—tying for a record in LaLiga. His positioning was definitely risky, and although he was trying to exploit Barça’s high defensive line, the marginal calls went against him. It’s a tough lesson for him and Madrid on the day, especially given how dominant they’ve been recently.
Interviewer: After this match, Real Madrid’s 42-game unbeaten streak in LaLiga is over, and Barcelona now has a six-point lead at the top. What does this victory mean for Barcelona moving forward?
Sam Marsden: This win is massive for Barcelona, not just in terms of points but also for the morale of the team. It sends a strong message about their capabilities this season and boosts their confidence. They’re now in a great position to push forward in the title race and maintain this momentum. If they can build on this performance, they will be difficult to stop.
Interviewer: Ancelotti emphasized that there’s still a lot to learn from the defeat. How do you see Real Madrid recovering from this setback?
Sam Marsden: Ancelotti’s approach is important. He’s aware that analyzing the loss is crucial for improvement, especially after a game that seemed to unravel in the second half. Madrid has the talent and experience to bounce back, and they’ll need to refocus quickly to avoid letting one defeat turn into a streak. They’ve shown resilience before, and I expect them to come back strongly in their next games.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Sam. It was a thrilling match that will surely be talked about for a while!
Sam Marsden: Thank you for having me! The rivalry never disappoints.
Celona’s high line, he just couldn’t capitalize on his opportunities. Ancelotti pointed out that they took risks with his positioning but couldn’t convert the chances when they needed to. It must have been frustrating for him, especially given the expectations surrounding such a big match.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, how do you think this victory impacts Barcelona’s season moving forward?
Sam Marsden: This win not only boosts their confidence but also solidifies their place at the top of the La Liga standings. They are on a great run under Hansi Flick, having won 12 out of 14 matches in all competitions. This victory, coming just days after a strong performance against Bayern Munich, cements their momentum. However, they need to stay grounded; there’s always room for improvement, and they can’t become complacent as the season is long.
Interviewer: with Barcelona’s impressive form, how are they preparing for their upcoming matches? What’s next on the agenda?
Sam Marsden: After this victory, they have scheduled a recovery day and a two-day break for the players. Their focus will quickly shift to their next match against Espanyol, as they aim to maintain this positive momentum. Flick will want to ensure that the players stay focused and ready to build on this performance. The atmosphere in the dressing room was electric after the win, which bodes well for their spirit going forward.
Interviewer: Thank you, Sam, for your insights on Barcelona’s impressive Clásico victory. It will be interesting to see how they continue to perform in the league!
Sam Marsden: My pleasure! I’m looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds.
