Carlo Ancelotti hailed his Real Madrid team after winning El Clasico 3-2 against bitter rivals FC Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.
A 91st-minute Jude Bellingham strike was enough to seal the victory and an 11-point lead at the summit, which led Ancelotti to conclude that the La Liga title is “much closer” to Real Madrid TV.
“I’m very proud, because they were two very demanding games,” the Italian remarked, in reference to this match and a Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester City his side also won midweek.
“We handled them very well and we are very happy. Now we have to prepare for the last part of the season, but we are well positioned, with a lot of desire and enthusiasm and a fantastic atmosphere at the Bernabeu. I think all together we can achieve something positive this season.”
Ancelotti’s opposite number Xavi Hernandez slammed the match official for his performance, plus La Liga’s lack of match football which him and his captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen called an “embarrassment”.
Pushed to remark on this, Ancelotti said: “I don’t want to comment on what Xavi thinks. Everyone is free [to think what they want]. It was a difficult and well-played, high-level match. I don’t think the goal was a goal, because there’s no clear image [of it]. And the penalty [on Lucas Vazquez] I think is clear.”
