Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment with Barcelona’s bench celebrations during their 4-0 Clasico victory, calling them unsportsmanlike. The match at Santiago Bernabeu saw Real Madrid’s 42-match unbeaten La Liga streak broken, with Barcelona’s dominance marked by two goals from Robert Lewandowski, as well as late strikes by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Ancelotti voiced his frustrations after Barcelona’s bench reportedly celebrated Raphinha’s goal, which sealed the score at 4-0, in a way he found disrespectful. While he clarified his issue wasn’t with Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick, he noted that one of Flick’s assistants celebrated too close to the Madrid technical area. Ancelotti later approached Flick to discuss the behavior, emphasizing that his issue was solely with the assistant’s actions. Flick reportedly agreed on the importance of maintaining respect on the sidelines.
This defeat pushes Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona in La Liga, adding intensity to the already fierce rivalry. Ancelotti’s response highlights the pressure both teams face as they vie for the title, underscoring the importance of sportsmanship even in high-stakes matches.