Coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Actual Madrid haven’t contemplated defeat within the pivotal Clasico at Barcelona as they combat to maintain their Spanish title hopes alive.
Defeat at Camp Nou on Sunday could be a devastating blow to final season’s champions and go away them 12 factors adrift with 12 rounds of video games remaining.
Ancelotti instructed his gamers to deal with Barcelona “as a lion, not as a cat”, predicting even he could be nervous about coming into their den, however he pledged Madrid would go on the assault.
Italian boss Ancelotti has received three of his seven LaLiga conferences in opposition to Barcelona, ​​shedding the opposite 4.
He can develop into the fifth Actual Madrid coach to win 4 or extra Clasicos in LaLiga, after Miguel Munoz (12), Francisco Bru (5), Luis Molowny (5) and Zinedine Zidane (4).
If he and Madrid fall brief, many will see the title race as being successfully over. Ancelotti will not be so certain, however that’s as a result of he has not allowed defeat to enter his thoughts.
“I do not know, we did not take into consideration that,” he mentioned. “We considered successful. If we do not win, we’ll give it some thought.
“We’ve to see Barca as a lion, not as a cat. If we see them as a cat, it looks like we’re going to a celebration. We’re going to play in opposition to an awesome workforce, and it is an necessary sport.
“In these video games there’s all the time concern, after all, however that is regular. It is concern, nerves. For me, the 2 hours earlier than kick-off are the worst.”
Barcelona received 1-Zero in opposition to Madrid in the beginning of March within the Copa del Rey. That success on the Santiago Bernabeu got here regardless of the guests having simply 35.2 % of possession, and a second leg of that semi-final continues to be to come back at Camp Nou on April 5.
In LaLiga alone, Barcelona have had 9 1-Zero wins this season, essentially the most they’ve ever had in a single league marketing campaign. As soon as they get a lead, they dig of their claws and combat to guard their prey.
Ought to Madrid win on Sunday, the deficit could be down to 6 factors and seeds of doubt may be planted in Barcelona minds.
Coach Xavi warned his Barcelona gamers they can’t assume the title is theirs even when they win.
“It would not be definitive, however it could be a robust blow. No matter occurs, I feel nothing can be selected Sunday,” he mentioned.
“If we win, we are going to take an important step to win the league. We’re very motivated. For some gamers, it could be the primary league title.”
