Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are set to face off this Sunday in Matchday 35 of the 2024–25 La Liga season, in yet another highly anticipated edition of El Clásico. With the league title hanging in the balance, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti issued a clear warning to their biggest rivals.
Los Blancos narrowly defeated Celta de Vigo 3–2 on Sunday, climbing to second place in the table with 75 points—just four behind Barcelona. When asked if his team must win El Clásico to stay in the title race, Ancelotti didn’t hesitate.
“Obviously, yes. We’re going to have a great opportunity, so we’re going to prepare well and put up a fight. I think Sunday’s match won’t be a decisive one, but almost,” the Italian boss said in the post-match press conference.
Ancelotti was also asked whether a victory over Barcelona would make Real Madrid title favorites. He remained cautious: “I don’t know, because even if we win, we’ll still be one point behind. La Liga is in Barcelona’s hands, but we’ll have more chances if we’re able to win.”
With just four games remaining in the season, Sunday’s clash is pivotal. A win for Real Madrid would crank up the pressure on Barcelona, who couldn’t afford a slip-up in their final three matches. A Barca win, however, would put the title within arm’s reach.
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Historically, El Clásico has been one of the most iconic rivalries in world soccer—and this season, it has been all Barcelona. The Catalan side has defeated Real Madrid in every meeting thus far.
Barca secured a commanding 4–0 win at the Bernabeu earlier in the league campaign, followed it up with a 5–2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup, and edged Madrid again in the Copa del Rey final two weeks ago with a 3–2 win. When asked about his team’s record against Barcelona this season, Ancelotti remained focused on what’s ahead:
“We played our last game a week ago. It was a very competitive match, and we were close to winning, so I don’t think we need to change much. Despite all the difficulties, the fact that we’re in this situation and can fight for this match is something special.”
Real Madrid will benefit from additional rest heading into Sunday’s showdown, while Barcelona face Inter Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League semifinals. With more recovery time and La Liga representing their last chance at a trophy, Los Blancos are expected to leave everything on the pitch.
