“Sporting humiliation seems disrespectful” say Real Madrid’s Ancelotti after Barcelona loss

It was a night to forget for the reining Spanish and European champions as eternal rivals Barcelona humilia..., sorry, comfortably beat Real Madrid to lift the Spanish Super Cup. Los Blancos’ manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke after the game and said he thought anyone using the ‘H’ word was showing a lack of respect.

Barça were better than Madrid, accepts Ancelotti

“It’s not a critical moment, but it’s a difficult one,” explained Ancelotti after the 3-1 loss in Riyadh on Sunday. “It normally happens during a season. It can be fixed with the usual commitment and attitude. The players must realise that.

“These mistakes are easy to avoid ... There wasn’t much rhythm and avoiding handing out gifts is the first thing, but we have gifted two. We need to improve our physical condition and play as a team.

“The mistakes have been definitive. It wasn’t a good match for any of us. But talking of sporting humiliation seems disrespectful to me. They were better, period.”

The truth is, Barça did dominate the Riyadh Clásico which handed a first major trophy to the club since head coach Xavi took over. Just like the Community Shield in England, though, some onlookers don’t put too much merit in this one.

Gavi shone for the Catalans and the hope there is that they can continue to take advantage in LaLiga of Madrid’s poor form. Following Madrid’s defeat to Villarreal last time out, there is now a three-points gap at the top of the table, with the capital side playing catch-up. Ancelotti also has to sort things out ahead of the Liverpool double-header in the Champions League round of 16 tie in a few weeks. That said, the Reds are having plenty of their own ‘fixing’ to do, right now.