The Real Madrid season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago, but if the side of Carlo Ancelotti can finally beat his Rivaux Barcelona in the Liga Clasico on Sunday, their defense of the title will be resuscitated. Madrid was left licking their injuries after a quarter -final of the Champions League by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is about to leave at the end of the season, but it could still be with a major trophy in his hands. Barcelona’s European exit in the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened the spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can revise the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season.
The nature of Madrid’s rivalry with Barcelona means that winning the liga could feel good or disappointing, depending on how their sworn enemy in Europe.
With the quadruple dream of Barcelona crushed by Inter, if Madrid defends his title, they could even classify their season as a success.
The Catalans, who have currently led by four points with four games to play, would only remain with the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, both won by beating Real Madrid in the final.
To do this, Madrid must manage something that they could not succeed all season – win a classico.
“We will have an excellent opportunity, we have to prepare well – it’s an almost decisive match,” said Ancelotti.
The teams clashed three times and Barcelona triumphed at each occasion, during the two aforementioned finals and during the first confrontation of the League at Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Barcelona scored 12 goals during the four games, conceding four, with the Hansi Flick team to outdo Madrid each time.
However, their meeting in Seville in April in the final of Copa del Rey was that the nearest Ancelotti team came.
Madrid took the match nearby and their Italian coach discovered a configuration that allowed his team to take the Barca over.
Operating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the attackers, and Rodrygo replaces, Madrid has found the balance that they sometimes lacked this season.
“The last match was competitive, we were very close to winning and I don’t think we have to invent a lot of new things (tactically),” said Ancelotti.
“We have to try to play a serious game, and we will do it with all the confidence in the world.
“Despite all our problems, the fact that we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful.”
Last weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti, also offered Arda Guller, Turkish, 20, a rare start and he impressed in midfield, offering a momentum that the retired Kroos gave last season, while Madrid won a double liga and the Champions League.
Guller also impressed as a substitute in the Copa and Ancelotti final could start it at the Olympic stadium this weekend.
“In Madrid, you have to suck him on the bench before becoming an undeniable start in this team – Arda has the profile of a player who could be a starter in Madrid,” said Ancelotti.
“He sucked him to the bench, he was not bored and he has evolved … He is not the same more gulled last September.”
Player to watch: Alexander Sorho
The Norwegian man of Atletico Madrid played a key role on the bench this season, but in the last weeks of the campaign, coach Diego Simeone gives him more chance from the start. He is about to lead the line against his former Sociedad team on Saturday.
Key statistics
8 – Championship games without victory for the relegation against the Legans before their key confrontation against Espanyol on Sunday.
25 – Goals for the top scorer in La Liga, Robert Lewandowski in Barça, with Mbappe dragging by one.
91 – Times Barca has found the net this season in the elite, no other part has reached 70.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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