Clásico will be ‘almost’ decisive in LaLiga title race, says Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti believes El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona will be all but decisive in La Liga title race. The Los Blancos registered a 3-2 win against Celta Vigo on Sunday.

After 34 matches, Barcelona have four points more than Real Madrid in the La Liga. Both teams will face off against each other on Sunday at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium.

In the ongoing season, Barcelona have won all the three matches against Madrid, including two finals – Cope del Rey and Supercopa de Espana. 

“Yes, obviously,” Ancelotti said at a postmatch news conference when asked whether Madrid needed to beat Barça to stand a chance of winning the league. “I won’t say Sunday’s game will be decisive, but almost. … If we win, we’re a point behind. The league would still be in Barcelona’s hands, but we’ll have more of a chance.”

Barcelona claimed a 4-0 win at the Bernabéu in the two teams’ first Clásico clash this season, and then registered 5-2 win in the Spanish Supercopa final, before winning 3-2 after extra time in last weekend’s Copa del Rey final.

“We played them last week and it was competitive,” Ancelotti said. “We were close to winning. We have to play a serious game, and we’ll play with all the confidence in the world.”

The Italian manager showered praise on Güler, who scored a goal and also provided an assist against Celta Vigo. Ancelotti revealed the Turkish footballer is in contention to play against Barcelona.

“The Güler of September isn’t the Güler of today,” Ancelotti said when asked about the player’s development. “He’s changed, his physical profile has changed. … He’s done better this year, and he’ll do better in the coming years. He has the profile to be a first-team player at Real Madrid.

“Two months ago I had a go at the people around him [for being impatient], and now I have to congratulate them, because he’s doing a good job.”