Carlo Ancelotti post-match press conference | Spanish Super Cup final 2024

Real Madrid squashed, seasoned and fried Barcelona in Saudi Arabia as Vinicius Jr’s first-half hat-trick was too much for the Catalans to contain. Carlo Ancelotti’s game plan worked to perfection as Los Blancos came at their arch-enemies time and time again, threatening them in behind their defence who, by the end, looked like they were wearing their shirts, shorts and boots on backwards as they stumbled over the finish line a man down.

Vinicius was played through for the first two goals as the Benny Hill theme tune accompanied Barcelona’s atrocious attempt at holding a high line; the blaugrana were two down after 10 minutes with Real Madrid finding space in behind normally only describable using astronomical units of measurement.

Ancelotti surprised by Madrid’s early lead

“I didn’t expect the goals to come so early”, said Ancelotti at full-time, “but we took advantage of the high line. Vinicius was inspired on the counter-attack, it was a tough game. The result is too big considering how Barcelona played”, he added, modestly.

The implosion continued as Ronald Araujo pleaded with the referee that he really didn’t grab Vini Jr’s chest as the Brazilian winger fell to the ground before slotting away the subsequent penalty. Lewandowski’s effort cut the gate before the strike from the spot but the blaugrana hope was merely a flash in the pan.

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‘At Madrid there are plenty of special nights’

The second half was more of the same without the goals, until Rodrygo hit home under Iñaki Peña following a move that made Madrid rip the head off a devastated Xavi’s side like Saturn Devouring His Son.

After the game, Ancelotti called the win “very good” before, in typical Madrid manager fashion, saying that “we need to put the trophy in the cabinet and look forward.”

“It was a special night”, he said, “but at Madrid there are plenty of special nights. It’s the strength of this club.”

Once he sat down with the press, Carlo was able to give a more considered valuation of the game: “We wanted to win and we did so brilliantly. We found Vinicius in an extraordinary moment and from then on, it was a different game. Barcelona kept the ball, they looked to create and, until the 4-1, it was open. We tried to control things, but without pressing high. It was an open game and we’re very happy.”

Ancelotti looks to the future

“We’re very dangerous”, he admitted when asked about his game plan on the night, “because there’s movement up front, there are no fixed positions and this doesn’t let the opponent mark us. Vinicius comes inside, so does Bellingham, so does Rodrygo. And with the help of the full-backs, they create a lot of danger. The movement is what generates the problems.”

When asked what score he’d give the game, Carlo responded by dodging the question, instead saying that “we have to be concentrated on what’s coming. I enjoy working because I like what I do and the atmosphere that we have. The club supports me and cares for me.”

“We are confident, we were confident from start to finish. We have a strong team, with individuals of a high level and an incredibly motivated atmosphere.”