Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that his team’s focus should be on providing a full performance rather than just advancing to the attack in search of a goal to compensate for the loss of the first leg, in the second leg before the King’s Cup final.
Real defender Eder Militao accidentally scored an own goal in the first half in the first leg, before Barcelona defended with full force and emerged victorious 1-0 in Madrid.
“This is always the most important game for me, for Real Madrid and for the fans. This is a very fierce competition,” Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday before playing at the Camp Nou.
He added, “This match will allow us to play another final, and this is the most important goal. It is an important competition, and we are approaching its end. We will do everything possible until we play the final match.”
“It’s not about rushing like crazy to score a goal. It’s about playing a whole game with and without the ball… We won’t play like crazy because we can score a goal in the fifth minute and then concede two goals.”
Barcelona beat Real Madrid three times in 2023, with a cup go-to match, a league match last month, and the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
In response to a question about involving a different squad or relying on a different method, Ancelotti said, “It is difficult to change the system, after working with the same system throughout the year.”
He added, “Small details can surprise the opponent. In general, the change in the style of play will only surprise you.”
Ancelotti confirmed that defender Antonio Rudiger, who missed Sunday’s 6-0 win over Real Sociedad, has returned to training and will be ready to play.
* “Madrid is looking for revenge”
Despite Barcelona’s advantage before the second leg, coach Xabi Hernandez asked his players to be careful in front of a “wounded” team.
“I think the opponent will try to take revenge, because they lost the last three matches against us,” Xavi told a news conference.
He added, “Maybe we will do something different to surprise the opponent. I do not think the opponent will do that, as he has a clear style of play, and performs it well.”
He continued, “The opponent has a chance to win, and he performs well in such matches in which he needs to return. I still think that the opponent is the biggest favourite. It is difficult to beat him in the home and away matches.”