Ancelotti leaves a 'dart' at Barça for the Club World Cup and opens the door to Xabi Alonso

Carlo Ancelotti led what may have been his last press conference before a Real Madrid match on Saturday, just before the 'merengue' squad traveled to Barcelona for matchday 35 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25.

Before the 'final' for the league title, the Madrid coach left a 'dart' at the 'culés' for their absence in the Club World Cup that will be played next June in the United States.

"It will be the last Clásico of the season because Barcelona will not be in the Club World Cup", began the Italian coach, who assured that, beyond feeling "relief" for the 'azulgrana' elimination in the Champions League, he enjoyed a "very competitive" match.

"Barça was very close to playing the final and it's time to congratulate PSG and Inter. It will be a beautiful and even final without a favorite as of today", added 'Carletto'. Regarding the current situation of his players, the coach believes he can repeat the performance of the second half in the Copa del Rey, where the 'merengues' came back from a 1-0 partial after the break.

Ancelotti's 'plan' to break his bad streak against Barça

Carlo Ancelotti, during the final of the Copa del Rey 2025

In that sense, the Reggiolo native revealed part of his plan to try to hurt the 'culés' again, on the counterattack and in set-piece actions. "You can hurt Barcelona in transitions because of their high line, the offside... there are many things I have talked about with the players and we have worked on in training. If they listen to me, it will go well", he assured.

However, Ancelotti admitted the difficulty of playing against an 'azulgrana' team that, this season, has defeated them in the three previous matches in League, Cup and Spanish Super Cup. 

"We have to defend very well, because it is a team that locks any rival in their field, not only us. There is no perfect team. We are going to have our options and the goal is to take advantage of them", pointed out the Italian, who on Sunday will lead his last Clásico as 'merengue' coach.

Ancelotti smooths things over with Madrid in a press conference with a farewell aroma

In this regard, 'Carletto' did not hesitate to open the door to who is emerging as the favorite to replace him on the 'blanco' bench next season, Xabi Alonso. "He has done a great job at Bayer Leverkusen. He has all the doors open", he said about the man from Donostia.

And, regarding his relationship with Madrid, he ruled out a departure on bad terms. "The honeymoon with this club continues and will continue forever. Nothing more to add. Madrid, like Milan, stays in my heart more than others, it's normal", concluded the Italian.