Carlo Ancelotti believes that Real Madrid will need to play a "complete" game if they are to topple rivals Barcelona in Sunday's Clasico.
Madrid enter the game four points adrift of LaLiga leaders Barca, with Hansi Flick's team knowing a victory will push them closer to a 28th top-flight crown.
Los Blancos have struggled in recent fixtures against their rivals, losing their last three matches against Barca in all competitions this season.
Only once in the entire history of the Clasico, between 2008 and 2010 under Pep Guardiola (five), have the Blaugrana managed four or more consecutive victories.
Madrid, however, have won four of their last five away games against Barca, achieving the same number of victories in their previous 19 visits to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
"In this type of game you have to do things well. Barcelona are used to keeping the opponent in their own area, but no team is perfect," Ancelotti told reporters.
"It's a game where there's a lot at stake and to win you have to manage everything well, defend well, attack well. We have to play a complete game."
With so much at stake against their great rivals, Ancelotti will have little trouble getting his players fired up.
"Playing with Barcelona is special. It will be the last 'El Clasico' of the season because Barca are not in the Club World Cup."
Madrid have won their last four LaLiga games, but have not managed five or more consecutive wins in the competition since a run of nine between March and May 2024.
But they have also conceded 33 goals in LaLiga 2024-25, their worst defensive record at this stage of the campaign since 2018-19 (38 goals).
And though his team may end the season without a trophy, Ancelotti still regards this term as a decent campaign.
"It's been a good league and a good season," he said."You need continuity to be able to win it, or to be close explains very well what tomorrow's game is going to be.
"We both have a lot at stake. Barca will have more chances than us, but if we win it will still be all to play for."
Pubeklopy
0
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Pubeklopy
2
Mor2025
0
Valverde can track back for Lucas whenever he goes out to support the attack. Guler and Ceballos have shown they can provide assist and keep d ball, they can be a perfect duo in the middle with the ability to shoot from outside the box. Valverde can also shoot from outside d box so that's an added advantage.
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they also showed the ability to lose 4 classico in a row[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Mcmansy
1
Guys, I have a question! ⁉️ Is this the match time or the number of Champions League titles between the two teams? 🤷🏻
Kay9yne
1
Valverde can track back for Lucas whenever he goes out to support the attack. Guler and Ceballos have shown they can provide assist and keep d ball, they can be a perfect duo in the middle with the ability to shoot from outside the box. Valverde can also shoot from outside d box so that's an added advantage.
AbdulZaks008
0
Are you still thinking about this☠️🐍
nihkmoprsu
0
This game will determine if I will continue supporting Real Madrid or not.
ChidukuNever
2
The current defense wall can not stop Barca front line.
makbimnrt
2
Madrid fear Barca. If Madrid can play without fear, they can win
Bebdeilst
2
this Team Can Match The Current Barcelona ...Let Vini go Or we will not see the best of Mbappe for what he was brough up for.... let Rodrygo leave also and promote Güler while Endryk will score alot of Goals
Zapabilot
3
Florentino Perez & Real Madrid's Management were NOT fair to Ancelotti ! They deceived him ! They hurt him ! Carvajal & Militao are OUT with ACL injuries ! NO replacement for Kroos, Carvajal & Militao ! Alaba is MINUS ! With these problems, how do you expect Ancelotti to succeed ? No Manager can succeed with this team ! Even Pep, Flick will request for more players ! Things are NOT done like that ! It's not fair ! Perez should think TWICE before sacking Ancelotti !
diocemstyz
0
Let Vini Jr play the Classico we'll win insallah
diocemstyz
0
Yes
diocemstyz
1
El Classico standard starting IX insallah