Title Clash: Ancelotti's Real Madrid's Last Chance in El Clasico
Madrid's spirits beamed after Arsenal handed the Champions League quarter-finals to them, and Ancelotti's departure at the end of the season looms, but a major trophy could yet be in his hands.
The El Clásico with Barcelona, following their devastating elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan, will bring new life to the Spanish capital. If Madrid can overhaul the Catalans, they could very well transform their season.
The intense Barcelona-Madrid rivalry means winning La Liga could either feel triumphant or anti-climactic, depending on how their nemesis performs in Europe. With Barcelona's dreams of a quadruple obliterated by Inter, should Madrid retain their title, they could even label their season as a triumph.
The Catalans, who currently lead with a significant four-point advantage and four games remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final. To secure these two titles, Madrid must conquer something they haven't done all season — victory in a Clásico.
"We have a golden opportunity," said Ancelotti. "We have to prepare well; it's almost decisive."
In the four matches contested between the two teams, Barcelona reigned victorious. However, the closest Ancelotti's team came was in the Copa final, where they took the game to extra-time, even discovering a formation that allowed them to challenge Barca.
"The last match was competitive," said Ancelotti. "We were very close to victory, and I don't think we need to invent a lot of new strategies; we just have to play a solid game and we will do so with all the confidence in the world."
Madrid's Turkish midfielder, Arda Guler, who has shown promise, could be a game-changer. Guler impressed as a substitute in the Copa final and might start this weekend's showdown.
"At Madrid, you have to be patient on the bench before you become an indisputable starter in this team," said Ancelotti. "Arda has the potential of a player who could establish himself as a starter at Madrid."
Player to watch: Alexander Sorloth
Atletico Madrid's Norwegian striker Sorloth has been instrumental off the bench this season but, in the final weeks of the campaign, Simeone is giving him more starts. He leads the line against his former side, Real Sociedad, this weekend.
Impact of Barcelona's European Exit on Madrid's Chances:
Barcelona's exit from the European competition, particularly the Champions League, intensifies Real Madrid's aspirations and possibilities of winning La Liga. With Barcelona focusing solely on domestic competitions, Madrid capitalizes on this opportunity to turn their season into a success by defending their league title, making it slightly easier for them [5].
Potential Tactics Ancelotti Might Employ:
To win the El Clásico, Ancelotti might employ several tactics:
- Employ intense pressing to disrupt Barcelona's possession game, aiming to regain the ball quickly and create counter-attacking opportunities.
- Utilize the skills and speed of the wingers like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo to attack Barcelona's flanks, creating chances for crosses into the box.
- Focus onmidfield control, using players like Luka Modrić to dominate possession and limit Barcelona's attacking options.
- Exploit Barcelona's defensive weaknesses in set pieces and transitional phases for goals.
- Incorporate Mbappe's pace and skills to create scoring opportunities, especially on the counter-attack against a possibly more open Barcelona defense [2][5].
These tactics, along with a strong team spirit and motivation derived from Barcelona's European exit, provide Madrid with a chance to win the El Clásico. However, Barcelona's consistent form this season still makes them a challenging opponent [1][2].
The intensified focus on domestic competitions due to Barcelona's exit from European leagues like the Champions League could potentially boost Madrid's chances of retaining their La Liga title, making their season a success. As Ancelotti ponders his tactics for the El Clásico, he might opt to employ intense pressing, utilize the speed of wingers, focus on midfield control, exploit Barcelona's defensive weaknesses in set pieces, and capitalize on Mbappe's pace for scoring opportunities, hoping to turn the season around.
