Carlo Ancelotti could be overseeing his final El Clasico on Sunday when Real Madrid face Barcelona in a game with major title implications ahead of the Italian’s expected exit
Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t resist aiming one final dig at Barcelona ahead of his impending Real Madrid exit by referencing their absence from the FIFA Club World Cup tournament this summer.
The Italian, 65, is poised to leave his role at the Bernabeu once the season ends regardless of whether or not Los Blancos are successful in their bid to chase down Barca at the La Liga summit. Ancelotti has been courted by the Brazil national team for months and is expected to take said role, with Xabi Alonso the red-hot favourite to succeed him.
After exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and losing to Hansi Flick’s team in the Copa Del Rey final, Real Madrid are four points before their bitter rivals in the race for the title and could end up missing out again.
Sunday’s El Clasico will therefore have major title implications – and Ancelotti has spiced up the occasion by aiming a swipe at Barca, who – unlike Real – will not participate in the Club World Cup next month.
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“This is the last El Clasico of the season because Barcelona won’t be at the Club World Cup,” Ancelotti said ahead of the game, which takes place at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
The veteran coach then went on to concede that the match was effectively do-or-die for Real Madrid in their bid to retain their La Liga crown, saying: “Winning a league is difficult because you need consistency.
“The fact that we’re close explains what tomorrow’s match will be like. If Barca wins tomorrow, they have a better chance than we do, but if we win, anything can happen.”
In a wide-ranging press conference, Ancelotti also endorsed Alonso amid speculation that the former Real Madrid midfielder will replace him at the Bernabeu. Alonso announced on Friday that he would leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Alonso became one of Europe’s most sought after coaches last season after guiding Leverkusen to a first ever German title after going the season unbeaten and it seems as though Real Madrid have got their first choice target to replace the outgoing Ancelotti.
“I read that he (Alonso) is leaving Leverkusen,” Ancelotti added. “He has done a fantastic job. He has all the doors open to him, obviously, because he has proven to be one of the best coaches in the world.”
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