Carlo Ancelotti is determined to exact revenge for Real Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in their LaLiga Clasico last October as the two sides prepare to clash in the Supercopa de España final.
That October encounter saw Barcelona dismantle Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabéu, with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha ending Real Madrid’s remarkable 42-game unbeaten streak in LaLiga.
Real Madrid’s Resurgence
Since that defeat, Ancelotti’s men have bounced back in style, winning five consecutive games across all competitions. During this streak, they’ve scored at least two goals in each match, averaging an impressive 3.4 goals per game.
Victory in the Supercopa final would extend their winning run to six matches, their longest streak since January 2024, which also culminated in a Spanish Supercup triumph.
Ancelotti’s Cautious Optimism
While Real Madrid are brimming with confidence, Ancelotti remains wary of their fierce rivals.
“We have to think about what happened in the first game because they beat us,” Ancelotti acknowledged in his pre-match press conference. “We’ve made a pretty clear assessment, so we’ll have to repeat the good things we did and avoid the mistakes.”
“A Clasico is always a Clasico, but a final puts a bit more pressure on you.”
Bellingham Boost
Jude Bellingham, who has been a revelation for Real Madrid this season, is fit and ready for the final after recovering from muscle issues sustained during the semi-final victory over Mallorca.
The English midfielder has been in scintillating form, scoring nine goals in the past two months across all competitions—more than any other midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues during that period.
“He’s fine, he’s recovered well,” Ancelotti said of Bellingham, who is Real Madrid’s third-highest scorer this season and joint-top for assists in LaLiga.
Historic Rivalry in the Supercopa
This final marks the 10th time Madrid and Barcelona will face off in the Spanish Supercup final, and the third in the single-leg format. Real Madrid have historically dominated these encounters, winning seven titles compared to Barcelona’s two.
Ancelotti highlighted the significance of the match, not only for the trophy itself but for the momentum it could provide in their LaLiga and Champions League campaigns.
“When we haven’t won it, it hasn’t gone well. It’s a competition that gives you a lot more motivation,” Ancelotti remarked.
“Barcelona are a historic rival, and the matches are always very competitive. It’s difficult for us and for them. The result of the match cannot be predicted.”
A Clasico with High Stakes
As Real Madrid aim to draw level with Barcelona for the most Supercopa de España titles, the stakes are as high as ever. A victory would not only avenge their October defeat but also bolster their pursuit of domestic and European glory this season.
All eyes will be on the King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia as the two Spanish giants lock horns once again in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry.
