18th December, 2021
Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Barcelona are not currently a direct rival to his Real Madrid side due to their positon on the table.
Ancelotti said this in response to comments by Barcelona’s coach, Xavi that things are currently difficult at the Catalonian side.
Xavi said: “It’s proving harder than we expected, but this doesn’t stop.
“We have to be positive and keep showing that the team’s improving and we’re on the right path. We’ve improved in some respects, but results haven’t accompanied us yet.
“But seeing how hard we’re working and the rhythm of the training sessions, we’re positive. [Saturday] is a huge game and we urgently need to end the year with six points against Elche and Sevilla [on Tuesday].”
Ancelotti in response said: “Now he is not a direct rival, because there are other teams closer. But he has the quality to go up and if I were Barcelona coach I would say exactly the same as Xavi.”
Currently, Madrid are 18 points ahead of Barcelona while Los Blancos had no problems topping their Champions League group.
Barça won two of their first three games under Xavi, but recent defeats to Real Betis and Bayern Munich, as well as the 2-2 draw with Osasuna, have highlighted some of the inefficiencies Xavi needs to address.