Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he’s not losing sleep over the resurgence of La Liga leaders Barcelona as they prepare for Saturday’s highly anticipated Clasico. Barcelona, under new manager Hansi Flick, arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu with a three-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, having demolished Bayern Munich 5-1 in the Champions League midweek.Despite this, Real Madrid are enjoying a 42-match unbeaten run in La Liga, and if they avoid defeat on Saturday, they will equal Barcelona’s record of 43.”The truth is they are doing very well,” admitted Ancelotti at a news conference Friday.”In a game like the Clasico, a derby, it’s hard to pick a favourite. Luckily nobody is taking any sleep away from me at the moment.”Last season, Barcelona faltered while Real Madrid triumphed in both La Liga Clasicos. Real midfielder Jude Bellingham was a standout, scoring three goals across those encounters. However, Bellingham has yet to find the net in 10 appearances this season. Ancelotti remains satisfied with his contribution and sees star striker Kylian Mbappe as the main scoring threat for Los Blancos this year.Real Madrid currently have the second longest unbeaten run in LaLiga history (42).Barcelona hold the record, set in 2018 (43).Tomorrow, Real Madrid take on Barcelona in El Clásico. 👀 pic.twitter.com/RgXgsoKH8F— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 25, 2024 Following Karim Benzema’s departure last season, Bellingham, Joselu, and Brahim Diaz stepped up to fill the scoring void, with Bellingham netting 10 goals in his first 10 matches for Madrid.”Last year we had no striker, we lost an important striker like Karim, we replaced him with the goals of Bellingham, Joselu and Brahim (Diaz),” continued Ancelotti.”This year we don’t have a problem, because we have a striker that can score 30, 35, 40 goals. The important thing is (Bellingham) does his work, which is very important.”Kylian Mbappe, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, is set to make his Clasico debut. Ancelotti described the forward’s approach to preparation as calm and composed, despite off-field distractions. Mbappe is currently in a legal dispute with PSG over a reported €55 million ($59.5 million) in unpaid wages and recently faced criticism in France for sitting out international duty. Additionally, Swedish media reported that he is under investigation for an alleged incident in Stockholm earlier this month, a claim Mbappe has dismissed as “fake news.”Can Barca win it all?”His way of managing, preparing for games, is a very calm and simple way,” said Ancelotti.”He’s played Barca many times, he knows what he has got to do.”On the other side, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, also making his Clasico debut, praised his squad as they prepare for their toughest challenge so far this season. Flick hinted at a tactical tweak, including an aggressive high press, but doesn’t plan to make drastic changes for the match against Real Madrid.”We have our ideas, and I said also after the match against Bayern that we have to improve a little bit… every match we play, we adapt for the next match, and it’s also the same against Real,” explained Flick.”They also have players who are very fast, we know that we play against Real Madrid, a team with world-class players. But in the end, I trust (my players), I have a big belief in my team.”🇪🇸🔵 Real Madrid (La Liga, 2024/25)🇪🇸🔴 Barcelona (La Liga, 2024/25)🇪🇸 #ElClasicoCompare players 👉 https://t.co/McR5zrPSJm pic.twitter.com/yOr1whNAoq— DataMB (@DataMB_) October 25, 2024 Flick remains grounded amid the praise for his impressive start in Barcelona, emphasizing that results are what truly matter.”It’s nice, it’s kind, but in the end, I know my job and I know that everything is about the result,” he said.”So when we win, it’s good. When we do not win, it’s not so good… We have to focus on our performance and on our ideas and our passion, how we want to play tomorrow.”The stage is set for another classic showdown, with both teams bringing their own storylines and form into the most eagerly awaited fixture in Spanish football.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 11Friday 22.00: (3.10) Espanyol (3.30) Sevilla (2.50)Saturday 15.00: (3.70) Valladolid (3.50) Villareal (2.00)17.15: (2.10) Rayo Vallecano (3.20) Alaves (3.80)19.30: (3.05) Las Palmas (3.45) Girona (2.45)22.00: (2.10) Real Madrid (3.70) Barcelona (3.60)Sunday 15.00: (3.20) Leganes (3.10) Celta (2.40)17.15: (2.25) Getafe (2.95) Valencia (3.70)19.30: (3.30) Betis (3.25) Atl.Madrid (2.40)22.00: (1.80) Sociedad (3.50) Osasuna (4.70)Monday 22.00: (3.00) Mallorca (3.15) Ath.Bilbao (2.65)***odds are subject to change***
