Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are set to clash in a decisive Matchday 35 showdown in the 2024–25 La Liga season at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium. With the title race hanging in the balance, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti used his pre-match press conference to take a subtle jab at Barcelona’s absence from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Barcelona currently sit atop the La Liga standings with 79 points, while Real Madrid trail closely behind with 75. Sunday’s match is a potential six-pointer—one that could either seal the title for Barca or reignite the race if Los Blancos secure a win. When asked about the stakes, Ancelotti pointed to the lessons learned from their recent Copa del Rey clash.
“In this kind of match, you have to do things right. The Copa game was the least complicated one against them this year. Barcelona are used to pinning their opponents back, but no team is perfect. It’s a game with a lot at stake, and to win you have to do everything well—defend well, attack well. You have to play a complete game,” the Italian boss said in Saturday’s press conference.
With Xabi Alonso announcing his departure from Bayer Leverkusen, questions have resurfaced about Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid—adding extra intrigue to what could be his final El Clasico. When asked whether the match felt different on a personal level, the veteran coach slipped in a cheeky remark:
“It’s exactly the same. It’s always special to play against Barcelona because of the rivalry we have and the fans’ desire to win a match against Barca. It will also be the last Clásico of the season because Barca won’t be in the Club World Cup,” Ancelotti said, drawing laughs from the press room.
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After Club Leon was disqualified from the tournament by FIFA, speculation arose that Barcelona could take their place. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the open spot will go to either LAFC or Club America. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are set to begin their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against Al Hilal. Ancelotti, taking advantage of the moment, couldn’t resist a bit of playful banter with Barcelona.
Real Madrid face a wounded Barcelona
Sunday’s El Clásico could not come at a better time for Real Madrid. Barcelona head into the match reeling from a midweek Champions League elimination, with fitness concerns also casting doubt over their lineup. Ancelotti shared his thoughts on Barcelona’s exit and the semifinal between Inter and Barca:
“Not relief. I watched the match, and it was fantastic—very close and very competitive, with teams that had different characteristics. Inter managed to reach the final, and they deserve congratulations, but Barcelona came very close to making it. No one would have had anything to say if Barcelona had won.
“Congratulations to PSG and Inter, who will play a beautiful and evenly matched Champions League final, with no clear favorite as of today,” he added, acknowledging Barcelona’s strong performance and tipping his hat to both finalists.
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