El Clasico: Resilient Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expresses no remorse for his strategies, even after a disappointing defeat to Barcelona.

**”He is the best in the world” – Alba, Martino on Messi’s Ballon d’Or snub**

In a stunning display of footballing prowess, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona dismantled Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid with a resounding 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. This decisive win left the home side reeling and their manager defiant in the face of criticism.

The match saw Robert Lewandowski net a quick-fire brace, while Lamine Yamal marked his Clasico debut with a goal. Raphinha capped off the rout with a late lob, sealing a humiliating defeat for the La Liga champions. This loss not only inflicted embarrassment on Real Madrid but also ended their impressive 42-match unbeaten streak, which had been in place since September 2023—just one match shy of Barcelona’s all-time record.

Despite the heavy scoreline, Ancelotti remained steadfast, rejecting claims that his tactics were to blame. He insisted that the first half of the match was competitive, stating, “I do not regret my game plan. I have been in football for 48 years, so I’m not wrong when I tell you that the first half was good.”

Ancelotti contrasted this defeat with a previous 4-0 loss to Lille, where he felt his side had performed poorly. “We were very bad that day. We competed today,” he asserted. However, he did acknowledge a lack of “intensity” following their recent Champions League defeat, emphasising the need for self-criticism while maintaining that they would not abandon their principles.

“We have to learn from this. Self-criticism is fundamental. But we don’t throw everything in the bin,” he added. “Last time we lost 4-0 to Barcelona, we won La Liga and the Champions League. We fight on.”

On the other side of the pitch, Hansi Flick expressed his delight at the victory, dedicating the win to the Barcelona fans who had not seen their team triumph at the Bernabeu since March 2022. The former Bayern Munich manager has now led Barcelona to 10 wins and just one defeat since taking charge, including a notable 4-1 victory over his old club in the Champions League.

Flick acknowledged the challenges faced during the match, particularly in the first half when Real Madrid seemed to have the upper hand. “Today was a good step for us,” he remarked. “We beat one of the best teams in the world. It’s not about me. It’s about the team, the fans, and the club. We are all happy, but now we are thinking about the fans because they deserve it.”

He also highlighted the effectiveness of his high defensive line, which caught Real Madrid offside 12 times, eight of which occurred in the first half. “At half-time, I told them it was important to keep up the pressure and have more ball control,” Flick explained.

In a moment of levity, Flick addressed a heated exchange with Ancelotti following Raphinha’s fourth goal, acknowledging that celebrations can sometimes get a bit out of hand. “It’s normal. When you celebrate a goal, maybe not everything is right. But I think we are old enough to speak about that,” he said.

Ancelotti confirmed that his complaint was directed at a member of Flick’s coaching staff rather than the manager himself, stating, “What happened with Hansi Flick? No problem with him, but one of his assistants did not behave like a gentleman in the celebrations. I told him that and Flick agreed.”

As the dust settles on this monumental clash, both managers will be looking to regroup and refocus as they navigate the challenges ahead in La Liga and beyond.