Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti does not fixate on the navel of the champion’s pursuit. He stands one step from matching Zidane, the club’s second most successful figure, preserving a sense of calm within the squad ahead of the Super Cup final. He avoids dwelling on revenge in relation to Barcelona and last season, a sentiment echoed by players during the build-up to the match. This memory from the league opener, which Madrid won, resurfaced in the dressing room in the lead-up to the final.
Above all, winning matters. If Madrid play a superior game to Barca, they will win. If the performance doesn’t deserve it, a victory would still be welcomed, Ancelotti said as he defended Madrid’s clash of styles before a classic that defines the season. Madrid, he noted, prioritizes results over elaborate play, even as Xavi’s Barcelona emphasizes analysis in reaching the final’s position.
“Xavi doesn’t have my experience”
Speaking about the rival who defeated him, Ancelotti praised the opponent’s work: “He’s doing a great job. I’m not his age and I don’t have his experience either. He was a superb midfielder, and that will help him a lot.” Madrid had played four of the last official matches against Barcelona. Most clashes between the teams are high in action and goals, and Ancelotti acknowledged that Montjuïc’s classic featured contrasts that may shape future decisions. The approach centers on adaptive choices rather than fixed plans.
Yet, Ancelotti will be on the bench for a match where Madrid arrived with notable fatigue after the semi-final. Substitutes like Brahim and Joselu made decisive impacts. He insisted: “Matches are prepared with eleven players, and I never plan changes in advance. It is difficult to predict every move. But the players on the bench are ready and always motivated to contribute.” When a long match extends into extra time, the host squad often has an edge due to the available depth from the second unit.
“This competition ends tomorrow; the rest is another story. It carries an important place in the club’s history. Like all classics, the smallest details will decide, all things considered,” Ancelotti said, aiming to prevent the quick reactions that Xavi found last year and hoping to repeat history. He described an action-reaction dynamic that allowed Barca to steer the season early on.
“Mendy is the best left back in the world”
Madrid reached the Super Cup final having suffered just one defeat all season. They conceded three goals in the semi-final, a rarity that required extra time, yet their defensive structure remained among the best in La Liga. Injury disruptions to Militao, Alaba, and Carvajal were overcome through reshuffled roles. Ancelotti praised the squad’s resilience and noted that when Ferland Mendy is at his peak, he is the world’s premier left back, excels defensively, and contributed a recent goal as proof of his ongoing improvement in attack.
Nacho earned praise for professionalism, while leadership from Rüdiger and development from Carvajal were highlighted as essential components of Madrid’s balance this season. Ancelotti also wanted to diffuse the pressure on whistle-blown moments around the squad, and he underlined that Kroos remains a formidable rival for any club, including Saudi teams pursuing top talent. He expressed confidence that the team would remain unfazed by off-field noise in what could be a landmark final for Madrid.
In a broader context, Madrid’s supporters hope the final will showcase the collective strength of the squad, especially given the host country’s fervor for seeing Madrid at their best in the semi-finals and beyond. The manager emphasized a focus on performance and cohesion as the decisive factors for success in a high-stakes match at this stage of the season. (Source: Post-match press notes, attribution: club press conference coverage.)
“I don’t have a goalkeeper to start: Kepa and Lunin need to understand that”
Even with harmony in the squad, the goalkeeping equation stood out as a point of debate. Ancelotti entrusted Kepa with the start over Courtois, while Lunin’s performance shifted the balance. In a lengthy briefing, he acknowledged concerns about the choice and offered reassurance: “I understand the worry. I will act accordingly and keep everyone informed. I will not fear making decisions.”
He explained, “We agreed with Kepa, then Courtois was injured. Lunin played and deserved his minutes. This wasn’t a fault of Kepa; he performed exceptionally well. I cannot pick one starter and one substitute. What matters is that the players understand the plan.” The Italian coach drew on fresh memories of the semi-final, where a Basque loaned goalkeeper from Chelsea faced intense scrutiny. The situation affected Madrid’s longer-term plans, including the potential renewal talks with Kepa, while Lunin remains ready to compete for a permanent role with the team. (Attributed: training camp remarks and press conference notes.)