The match at Santiago Bernabeu ended Real Madrid’s impressive 42-game unbeaten streak in La Liga. Despite missing key opportunities in the first half and having a Kylian Mbappé goal ruled offside, Madrid’s defense collapsed, allowing Barcelona to take full advantage.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski scored twice early in the second half, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha also adding to the scoreline, culminating in Raphinha’s goal in the 84th minute.
Tensions flared on the sidelines as Barcelona’s bench celebrated the final goal, which Ancelotti and his staff found disrespectful. He approached Barcelona manager Hansi Flick to express his discontent about the behavior of one of Flick’s assistants.
In his post-match comments, Ancelotti clarified that his issue was with the assistant, not Flick, describing the celebrations as “ungentlemanly” and noting that he communicated his concerns to Flick in a calm manner. Flick reportedly concurred with Ancelotti on the importance of maintaining respect.
This defeat leaves Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona in La Liga, escalating their rivalry. Ancelotti, who has achieved significant successes with the club, was understandably disappointed by the loss at home.
The match highlighted vulnerabilities in Madrid’s defense that Ancelotti will need to address as they pursue the title. This El Clasico has added another layer to the rivalry, emphasizing the high stakes and the need for respect and sportsmanship.
For Real Madrid, this loss serves as a reminder of the difficulties in their pursuit of the La Liga title, while Barcelona gains a crucial psychological edge in the competition.
