Real Madrid will play their first El Clasico of the season in a few days. It will be the biggest game of La Liga in October. Carlo Ancelotti believes that Barca is slowly getting back to the best shape.
Carlo is afraid of Barca
Los Merengues boss Carlo Ancelotti thinks Barcelona are rediscovering their identity as they make a comeback from a slow start to the new season. Barca sits seventh in LaLiga, five places – but just two points – behind Ancelotti’s Real Madrid as the pair prepare for a Clasico showdown on Sunday. Ronald Koeman, who seemed on the brink of an exit earlier in October, has been under pressure after a mixed start to the LaLiga term while losing consecutive Champions League group games for the first time since 2000-01. Barca is improving the slow start – However, an improvement in recent weeks has, at least temporarily, kept Joan Laporta from dismissing Koeman, and Ancelotti – who has never won an away game against Barca in five attempts – insists the Blaugrana are on their way back.
Fourth consecutive win against Barcelona?
Despite Ancelotti’s poor away record, Madrid may travel to Camp Nou as favorites, given Barca have failed to win any of their last four games against Los Blancos. Indeed, Koeman has lost his first two LaLiga Clasico fixtures – only Patrick O’Connell between 1935 and 1940 was defeated in all his opening three matches of the famous fixture as Barca manager. As Madrid look for their fourth consecutive win against Barca in all competitions, only winning more in a row in 1965 (seven), Ancelotti hinted his defense will be key against Koeman’s side, who have scored in 34 of their last 35 top-flight home games. The game will be very interesting. All the teams will be involved fully and they want to try their best to win the game.