Real Madrid delivered when it mattered most, shaking off doubts that had menaced their league campaign. The team faced questions about performance and leadership, yet on a night when the coach faced heightened scrutiny, a focused approach pushed the squad past Barcelona on their home turf and set the tone for the closing stage of the season.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid dominates Barcelona as they push toward the trophy final.
Carlo Ancelotti returned to his favored setup, opting for a frontline with three attackers, a blueprint that had worked at Anfield with Rodrygo, Vinícius, and Karim Benzema. The side showcased their best form, adding a memorable performance at the Camp Nou with four goals to Barcelona’s tally of five against Liverpool earlier in the campaign.
Ancelotti continues to drive Real Madrid toward both the Champions League and domestic cup glory, keeping questions about his tenure on the bench alive. With one cup final secured at La Cartuja in Seville on May 6 and five European matches remaining, the club eyes a potential semi-final and a final in Istanbul, likely against Chelsea. The emphatic win at Camp Nou is seen as a boost for the late-season push, reinforcing confidence in the squad’s approach as they head toward the decisive stretch.
The Brazilian star Rodrygo offered a straightforward assessment in the Barcelona mixed zone: the victory provides a strong lift, reshaping the season’s arc. After a rocky spell, the team now aims to use remaining league fixtures to sharpen focus for the most important clashes ahead, taking confidence from the comeback and the progress already made.
Rodrygo: “We are Real Madrid”
The winger explained the significance of the 0-4 result against Barça. He noted that while losing three classics stung, the win in this encounter proved the team’s resilience and hunger. The path to the final now appears clearer, and the squad believes the comeback in this match was a natural extension of Real Madrid’s winning culture.
Valverde reflected on the outcome, calling it a strong result that secured qualification even when some phases of play were not perfect. He emphasized patience in defense, then decisive attacking moments that converted gaps into goals. With the season still alive in both the league race and the Champions League, he remains optimistic about the final chapter and the chance to claim more silverware.
The hard road for Courtois
What united the Real Madrid camp was a shared enthusiasm for reaching the final, a journey that tested the team with tricky ties away from home and the pressure of heavy expectations. Courtois spoke of pride at advancing to the final, and teammate Dani Carvajal underscored the belief that the squad could win. The road to this moment demanded perseverance, and the players trusted their method and execution when it counted most.
Emilio Butragueño, known for his steady presence, highlighted the manager’s ability to steer a tough match toward a winning outcome. The coach was praised for maintaining composure under pressure and for guiding the team through a demanding schedule. The mood inside the arena and on the bench reflected a sense that Real Madrid had found a rhythm suited for the decisive games ahead, with the season’s highest moments just around the corner.