Latest news with #CopadelReyFinal
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Barcelona ready for Real test: Flick
FC Barcelona's Raphinha with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior after the Copa del Rey Final at Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain on April 2. PHOTO: REUTERS Barcelona's players have discussed last week's Champions League elimination and are ready to put their disappointment behind them as they prepare to face LaLiga title rivals Real Madrid, manager Hansi Flick said on Saturday. Barca, who suffered a 4-3 Champions League semi-final defeat by Inter Milan on Tuesday, lead the Spanish top-flight by four points over second-placed Real. With four matches left in the season, a home win on Sunday would move Flick's side one victory away from their 28th Spanish league title. "We're doing well. After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it's not easy... but we're doing things right. We've talked about what we want to do in these two weeks," Flick told reporters. "There are four more games to go. El Clasico is important, we have to show how well we can play. We have to show confidence. The players are doing very well... We've been talking about what they are thinking, what they are feeling. "We had to talk about it as a group. Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to give 100%. You have to be active, intense, dominant. Real Madrid is a very good team, and we need the fans." Barcelona have conceded 10 goals in their last four games across all competitions, leading to questions over their solidity and the team's use of a high line when defending. Flick, however, is content with his back line. "When we started, I was clear about the philosophy... There have been games, especially at the beginning, where we saw doubts, but the team has adapted well," he said. "They have also been improving and are happy with the style and how we want to play. When you see the quality of the players you are happy." Flick also singled out defender Inigo Martinez for praise. "He likes to play deeper, and it's unbelievable to see how he's adapted," the German said. "He's a leader and focuses on winning every game. He works hard in every training session. He shares his positive feelings with his teammates and he is a fighter. A great leader." Flick said striker Robert Lewandowski, returning from a hamstring injury, and full back Alejandro Balde would not start against Real. "Gerard Martin and the rest of the players are doing very well," Flick said. "After this match, we have three more games left. Maybe they (Lewandowski and Balde) will get minutes in the second half, I think Balde is ready for that." Alonso has every door open: Ancelotti Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has been heavily linked with replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and the veteran manager admitted Saturday "every door" is open to the Spaniard. Ancelotti is expected to leave Madrid at the end of the current campaign with Spanish media reporting former Los Blancos midfielder Alonso will take over next season. Alonso, 43, said Friday he will leave Leverkusen at the end of the current campaign. "I read that, that he's leaving Bayer Leverkusen, where he has done a fantastic job," Ancelotti told a news conference. "He has every door open to him because he's shown he is one of the best coaches in the world." Ancelotti has one year left on his Real Madrid deal but said he would reveal his future at the end of the season after reports he could depart to lead the Brazilian national team. Alonso inspired Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double in the 2023-24 season, while Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League under Ancelotti. Both teams have struggled by comparison this term, with Madrid knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
El Clasico: La Liga standings do not matter, Barca's focus is on giving everything, says Hansi Flick
Barcelona: FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick believes his team will need to be at their highest level for Sunday's clash against Real Madrid and claimed his side will not think about the potential of them inching closer to the La Liga trophy. Barca have dominated Madrid this season, beating them 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the league, 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup Final in Riyadh, and 3-2 at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey Final. Hansi Flick is looking to make it four out of four against the all-whites. Only one manager has got off to a better start than that as Pep Guardiola won five from 2008 to 2010. 'Everyone knows that in the El Clásico, you have to be at your highest level. This is what the team has to do tomorrow. We want to see the intensity on the pitch, the dominance. We all know Real is a fantastic team, but we play at home. I am really appreciative of our fans, and they support us a lot,' said Flick during the pre-game press conference. The El Clásico could prove to be the La Liga title decider. FC Barcelona currently sit four points clear of Los Blancos in the table, and a win would take them within touching distance of the trophy, but Flick remained adamant that his players will be 'When you ask the players, they want to win the El Clásico. It does not matter what effects it has on the table. The only focus is to give everything for the three points,' he said. There is good news for Barca as it has been announced that both Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado are back to full fitness, and are available for selection by Hansi Flick in Sunday's crunch game at home to Real Madrid. Marc Casado had suffered a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, which was confirmed on March 18. Meanwhile, Balde went down injured against Leganes on April 12, sustaining a distal biceps femoris injury in his left thigh. The return of the defensive duo further strengthens Flick's side after striker Robert Lewandowski returned for Barcelona in the second half of the 3-4 loss against Inter Milan in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday (IST) 'I don't think either Balde or Lewandowski will start El Clásico, maybe they will get minutes in the second half. Gerard Martin is doing very well. Szczesny will start in goal,' he said.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
El Clasico: FC Barcelona host Real Madrid in potential La Liga decider
New Delhi: Real Madrid travel to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday in what could prove to be the La Liga title decider. FC Barcelona currently sit four points clear of Los Blancos in the table and a win would take them within touching distance of the trophy with just four games remaining including the highly awaited El Clasico. Barca have dominated Madrid this season, beating them 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the league, 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup Final in Riyadh, and 3-2 at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey Final. Hansi Flick is looking to make it four out of four against the all-whites. Only one manager has got off to a better start than that as Pep Guardiola won five from 2008 to 2010. Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano scored a remarkable 37 goals for Real Madrid in the 1992/93 season, the most by a player in his debut season at the club. In his first season at the club, Kylian Mbappe would be looking to match that number with just one more goal needed. Real Madrid have won their last four league games, and are hoping to string together a fifth for the first time this season, Barca on the other hand have also won four on the trot in La Liga and are unbeaten in 15 outings in the league. Their last defeat in the competition came against Atletico Madrid in December 2024. This game will also usher in a new era for La Liga fans in India after broadcaster FanCode , announced on Saturday, has secured a five-year exclusive deal to broadcast Spanish top-tier football league (La Liga) and second-tier (La Liga Hypermotion) in India for the next five years. Where: El Clasico will be played at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona When: El Clasico is scheduled to kick-off at 7:45 PM IST. Where to watch: La Liga is scheduled to be live streamed on FanCode.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
GdS: Upset Ancelotti threatened Brazil before Real Madrid talks
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Carlo Ancelotti was upset by media leaks from Brazilian representatives and threatened to call off the deal before meeting with Real Madrid and Florentino Perez. Italian coach Ancelotti has had quite a busy week. Several sources reported that the ex-Milan boss had agreed to take over at Brazil before abandoning talks when he seemed on the verge of signing his contract. Advertisement According to Gazzetta, Ancelotti was upset that Brazilian representatives passed on inaccurate details to various media and threatened to reject their offer once and for all if rumours had not stopped. Upset Ancelotti threatened Brazil SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, reacts during the Copa del Rey Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by) Ancelotti didn't want to create an embarrassing situation with Real Madrid, given that he still has a year left on his contract. According to Gazzetta, the Italian tactician also met with club executives and President Florentino Perez this week to clarify his stance. Several sources claim that the Merengues have already decided to change their coach in the summer, but Ancelotti hasn't yet agreed on exit terms as his contract runs out in June 2026. Advertisement According to Gazzetta and Fabrizio Romano, Brazil remains an option for the Italian coach, but the pink paper insists that Carletto is unwilling to take over at the Seleçao for World Cup qualifying games against Ecuador and Paraguay in June, just a few weeks after the end of the La Liga campaign. Tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, Ancelotti will hold a pre-match press conference on the eve of a La Liga match against Celta Vigo. According to the report, Ancelotti will focus on the final five league matches, including a crucial away meeting with Barcelona, before resuming talks with Brazil and discussing his Real Madrid exit.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Lamine Yamal rejects Lionel Messi comparisons: ‘Going to enjoy myself and be myself'
After playing a crucial role in Spain's triumph at Euro 2024, 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has become a mainstay in the Barcelona squad that remains in contention to do the European treble – winning the domestic league and cup titles alongside the UEFA Champions League – at the end of this season. The temptation to make comparisons to club legend Lionel Messi have persisted through Catalonia and the rest of the world, but any equivalence with the Argentine forward, whom Yamal describes as 'the best player in history,' remain farfetched according to the teenager. Yamal has 14 goals and 24 assists to his name this season in all competitions and had another brilliant outing in his side's 3-2 win in extra time over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the first leg of his Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, Yamal said he is not comparing himself to anyone yet. 'I don't compare myself to him, because I don't compare myself to anyone – and much less with Messi,' the teenager was quoted as saying BBC. 'I don't think the comparison makes sense, with Messi even less – I'm going to enjoy myself, and be myself.' With his star turns over the last year and a half for both club and country, Yamal, yet to turn 18, is expected to be one of the future stars in the European game. But he hopes his rise coincides with that of his club. 'The atmosphere at the Copa del Rey final was fantastic. We went out to enjoy ourselves. I would love to experience it again,' he said, according to the club website, ahead of the match against Inter. 'We give everything as we feel the shirt because we have grown up here and we know what it means. I think that has a lot to do with it. I don't hope that it is Lamine Yamal's era, but Barca's era.'
