Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his frustration over what he viewed as unsportsmanlike celebrations from Barcelona’s bench following their 4-0 victory in the latest El Clasico clash.
The heated match at the Santiago Bernabeu saw Real Madrid’s remarkable 42-game unbeaten La Liga streak come to an end. After narrowly missing key opportunities in the first half and having a goal from Kylian Mbappé ruled offside, Madrid’s defense faltered, and Barcelona capitalized on these errors to deliver a decisive victory.
Barcelona’s forward Robert Lewandowski was quick to make his mark in the second half, netting two goals in a matter of minutes. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha further extended the lead, with Raphinha’s strike in the 84th minute sealing the 4-0 defeat.
It was at this point that emotions flared on the touchline, as members of the Barcelona bench celebrated the goal in a way that Ancelotti and his staff perceived as disrespectful. Ancelotti was visibly upset and approached Barcelona manager Hansi Flick with a pointed finger, addressing what he believed to be inappropriate behavior from one of Flick’s assistants.
Reflecting on the incident, Ancelotti clarified that his grievance was not with Flick himself but with one of his assistants, who had celebrated in front of the Real Madrid technical area. “I had an issue with the assistant, not with Flick,” Ancelotti explained in the post-match press conference.
He expressed his disappointment with what he saw as a lack of respect, referring to the assistant’s actions as “ungentlemanly.” According to Ancelotti, he conveyed his concerns to Flick in a calm manner, and the Barcelona manager agreed with his perspective.
This result has now put Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings, intensifying an already fierce rivalry. Ancelotti, who has led Real Madrid to significant success in recent seasons, including a La Liga title and a Champions League victory, was understandably frustrated to see his team lose so decisively at home.
The match itself was a painful setback for Madrid, who had hoped to strengthen their position in the title race. However, Barcelona’s clinical performance in the second half exposed weaknesses in Madrid’s defense, and the loss has highlighted areas that Ancelotti will likely address moving forward.
This clash has added yet another layer to the already intense rivalry between these two clubs. While Ancelotti and Flick seem to have reached an understanding about the incident, it underscores the high-stakes atmosphere surrounding El Clasico and the importance of maintaining respect and sportsmanship, even amidst fierce competition.
For Real Madrid, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in their quest to reclaim La Liga supremacy, while Barcelona has gained an important psychological edge in the rivalry.
