BARCELONA
\nReal Madrid\u2019s season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday\u2019s La Liga Clasico, their title defence will be resuscitated.
\nMadrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands.
\nBarcelona\u2019s European exit at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can overhaul the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season.
\nThe nature of Madrid\u2019s rivalry with Barcelona means winning La Liga could either feel great or underwhelming, depending on how their nemesis fares in Europe.
\nWith Barcelona\u2019s quadruple dream crushed by Inter, should Madrid defend their title they could even classify their season as a success.
\nThe Catalans, who currently lead by four points with four matches remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final.
\nTo do that Madrid must manage something they have not been able to pull off all season \u2014 winning a Clasico.
\n\u201cWe will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well \u2014 it\u2019s an almost decisive match,\u201d said Ancelotti.
\nThe teams have faced off three times and Barcelona triumphed on each occasion, in the two aforementioned finals and in the first league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
\nBarcelona netted 12 goals across the four games, conceding four, with Hansi Flick\u2019s side outplaying Madrid on each occasion.
\nHowever their meeting in Seville in April in the Copa del Rey final was the closest Ancelotti\u2019s team have come.
\nMadrid took the game to extra-time and their Italian coach discovered a set-up which allowed his team to take Barca to the wire.
\nOperating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the forwards, and Rodrygo Goes substituted, Madrid found the balance they have badly lacked at times this season.
\n\u201cThe last match was competitive, we were very close to winning and I don\u2019t think we have to invent a lot of new things (tactically),\u201d said Ancelotti.
\n\u201cWe have to try and play a serious game, and we will do so with all the confidence in the world.
\n\u201cDespite all our problems, the fact we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful.\u201d
\nLast weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti also afforded Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler a rare start and he impressed in midfield, providing impetus which the retired Toni Kroos gave last season, as Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BARCELONA Real Madrid\u2019s season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday\u2019s La Liga Clasico, their title defence will be resuscitated. Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-477563","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n