Tensions reached a boiling point in the aftermath of Barcelona’s resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in Saturday’s El Clásico. An incensed Carlo Ancelotti, manager of the defeated Madrid side, took umbrage with the exuberant celebrations emanating from the Barcelona bench following their fourth and final goal.
The Italian tactician singled out one of Barça coach Hansi Flick’s assistants for what he perceived as ungentlemanly conduct. “The problem was with the assistant, not with Flick,” Ancelotti clarified in his post-match press conference. “The assistant was not a gentleman with the way he celebrated in front of our bench. And Flick agreed with us.”
Barcelona Runs Rampant in Second Half
The contentious celebrations came on the heels of a second-half onslaught from Barcelona. After a cagey, goalless first 45 minutes, the Blaugrana exploded for four unanswered goals to seal an emphatic win over their fiercest rivals.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski opened the floodgates with a quickfire brace, taking his season tally to 17 in all competitions. Not to be outdone, 17-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal etched his name in the history books, becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in a competitive Clásico.
Until the goal it was an even game. We had chances and could have scored, but we weren’t clinical.
Carlo Ancelotti on Real Madrid’s collapse
Brazilian winger Raphinha capped the scoring in the 79th minute, sending the Barcelona bench into raptures and drawing the ire of Ancelotti. The lopsided result snapped Real Madrid’s 42-match unbeaten run in La Liga, a streak that dated back to last season.
Mbappé’s Clásico Debut to Forget
For all the pre-match hype, Kylian Mbappé’s maiden Clásico appearance proved a forgettable affair. The French superstar was routinely caught in Barcelona’s offside trap, flagged a record-tying eight times over the course of the 90 minutes.
“We took risks with his position,” Ancelotti admitted when queried about Mbappé’s struggles. “They have a high line and due to fine margins we have not been able to take advantage of it.”
Flick: “We Have a Flow at the Moment”
For Barcelona, the momentous victory capped a dream week that also saw them dispatch Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League. Since Flick’s appointment in December, the Catalan giants have won 12 of 14 matches across all fronts.
We start the journey and we’re doing really well…we have a flow at the moment and we have to keep going.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick
Despite their flying form, the German refused to speculate about Barcelona’s title prospects. “Today we made a fantastic match and I’m really proud about the team. And how we play is very important as well,” he offered, remaining focused on the short-term.
Title Race Implications
Saturday’s result vaulted Barcelona six points clear of Real Madrid atop the La Liga table. With just 12 matches remaining, many are already anointing Barça as champions-elect.
For Ancelotti and Real Madrid, clawing back from this deficit would require a minor miracle. Los Blancos have looked vulnerable since the World Cup break, with the Clásico humbling exposing cracks in their aging squad.
The defeat worries me but we have to pick ourselves up quickly…we’re not going to be that far away this season from what we did last season.
Ancelotti on Real Madrid’s title hopes
While Ancelotti put on a brave face, the prospect of overhauling this vibrant, youthful Barcelona outfit appears increasingly remote. With Lewandowski leading the line, Pedri and Gavi orchestrating play in midfield, and prodigies like Yamal breaking through, Xavi has this Blaugrana squad primed for a new era of dominance.
As the dust settles on this latest Clásico, one thing is abundantly clear: the balance of power in Spanish football is shifting, and shifting decisively, in Barcelona’s favor. Whether Ancelotti and Real Madrid can arrest the slide remains to be seen, but on current evidence, this season’s La Liga crown looks destined for Catalonia.
