Carlo Ancelotti does not see Barcelona as Real Madrid's direct rivals this season because they are too low down the table.
The Camp Nou side sit eighth in La Liga after 16 matches, trailing leaders Madrid by 18 points.
Despite his side's struggles this term, Barca coach Xavi insists they are still in the fight for the Spanish league title, but Ancelotti is not worried about losing out to their Clasico counterparts.
Asked about Xavi's comments at a press conference on Saturday, Ancelotti says the likes of Sevilla and Real Betis pose more of a threat than Barcelona.
"Barca are not direct rivals now, because there are other teams closer like Sevilla or Betis," he said.
"But they have the quality to move up the table and if I were Barcelona's coach, I would say exactly the same as Xavi."
Ancelotti's men are on a 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions, having won each of their last 10.
They sit eight points clear of second-placed Sevilla in the Spanish top-flight, though Julen Lopetegui's team have a game in hand.
Madrid will take on Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday, but will be without several players because of an outbreak of Covid-19 cases in the squad.
Barca, meanwhile, are without a win from their last three competitive matches and will host Elche at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Ansu Fati, Pedri, Memphis Depay and Sergi Roberto are all set to miss out because of injury, while Gerard Pique is suspended for the clash.
MadridMaldives
197
Thatβs not only opinion of Ancelotti but surely millions of people including many BarΓ§a fans.
Kevin201
126
Barcelona at the moment isn't anybody's rival. Anybody can best them. π
Lawrynorb
96
A list of BarΓ§a's signings that cost over β¬10 million in the past 6 seasons (2016 to 2021) a d their *flopometer*: - Emerson β¬14 million β - Pjanic β¬60 million β - Trincao β¬31 million - Dest β¬21 million - Greizmann β¬120 million β - Frankie de Jong β¬86 million β - Neto β¬26 million β - Junior Firpo β¬20 million β - Pedri β¬20 million β - Braithwaite β¬18 million β - Malcom β¬41 million β - Lenglet β¬35 million β - Arthur β¬31 million β - Vidal β¬18 million β - Coutinho β¬160 million βββ - Dembele β¬135 million ββ - Paulinho β¬40 million β - Semedo β¬35.7 million β - Yerry Mina β¬12.4 million β - Gerard β¬12 million β - Gomes β¬37 million β - Alcacer β¬30 million β - Umtiti β¬25 million β - Digne β¬16.5 million β - Cilllessen β¬13 million β - Turan β¬34 million β - Aleix Vidal β¬17 million β Total = β¬1,108.6 million. So *BarΓ§a has spent over β¬1.1 Billion on flops alone*. Because they are busy signing flops expensively
Meebklmnot
77
barca get what they deserved for cheating all those year sweet music too my ears
MarZuqβ οΈ
65
Benxe
40
Before you come and comments, you have to understand what Ancelotti means when he said "are not our direct rivals".....He didn't say are not our rivals but are not direct with their poor performance this season.
whykallar
23
Opinion is free Ancelotti, you were once sacked by Real Madrid so know that nothing is impossible, likewise 18th points is six matches, remember most matches to play then the less ones been played, so just pay attention to your job and win silverware instead of only winning matches.
AdarshBhandari
13
A list of BarΓ§a's signings that cost over β¬10 million in the past 6 seasons (2016 to 2021) a d their *flopometer*: - Emerson β¬14 million β - Pjanic β¬60 million β - Trincao β¬31 million - Dest β¬21 million - Greizmann β¬120 million β - Frankie de Jong β¬86 million β - Neto β¬26 million β - Junior Firpo β¬20 million β - Pedri β¬20 million β - Braithwaite β¬18 million β - Malcom β¬41 million β - Lenglet β¬35 million β - Arthur β¬31 million β - Vidal β¬18 million β - Coutinho β¬160 million βββ - Dembele β¬135 million ββ - Paulinho β¬40 million β - Semedo β¬35.7 million β - Yerry Mina β¬12.4 million β - Gerard β¬12 million β - Gomes β¬37 million β - Alcacer β¬30 million β - Umtiti β¬25 million β - Digne β¬16.5 million β - Cilllessen β¬13 million β - Turan β¬34 million β - Aleix Vidal β¬17 million β Total = β¬1,108.6 million. So *BarΓ§a has spent over β¬1.1 Billion on flops alone*. Because they are busy signing flops expensively
Sad to see this as a Barca fan, but it is completely true.
IdyllicSevilla
12
A list of BarΓ§a's signings that cost over β¬10 million in the past 6 seasons (2016 to 2021) a d their *flopometer*: - Emerson β¬14 million β - Pjanic β¬60 million β - Trincao β¬31 million - Dest β¬21 million - Greizmann β¬120 million β - Frankie de Jong β¬86 million β - Neto β¬26 million β - Junior Firpo β¬20 million β - Pedri β¬20 million β - Braithwaite β¬18 million β - Malcom β¬41 million β - Lenglet β¬35 million β - Arthur β¬31 million β - Vidal β¬18 million β - Coutinho β¬160 million βββ - Dembele β¬135 million ββ - Paulinho β¬40 million β - Semedo β¬35.7 million β - Yerry Mina β¬12.4 million β - Gerard β¬12 million β - Gomes β¬37 million β - Alcacer β¬30 million β - Umtiti β¬25 million β - Digne β¬16.5 million β - Cilllessen β¬13 million β - Turan β¬34 million β - Aleix Vidal β¬17 million β Total = β¬1,108.6 million. So *BarΓ§a has spent over β¬1.1 Billion on flops alone*. Because they are busy signing flops expensively
To be honest, Frenkie De Jong is not a flop.
m7thun
9
Thatβs not only opinion of Ancelotti but surely millions of people including many BarΓ§a fans.
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Yup.. It is what it is. We are in all sorts of trouble right now mainly due to financial issues. Hope we overcome this soon and get to the same level as before. Insha'Allah.
Wrist10
9
Thatβs not only opinion of Ancelotti but surely millions of people including many BarΓ§a fans.
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Yes Ancelloti had spoken the truth. We cannot count ourselves as rivals against Madrid this season