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- Ancelotti: 鈥榃e are very excited and confident as always in the finals鈥�
- Flick hoping to win first major trophy as Barcelona manager
Jeddah: Coaches Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid and Hansi Flick of Barcelona held press conferences before the final match of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah on Jan. 12.
Ancelotti spoke to the media at King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday, and discussed the match and preparation of his squad.
鈥淲e are very excited and confident as always in the finals. We are facing a great team and we know exactly how tough this Clasico match is,鈥� he said.
On losing to Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season, the Italian said: 鈥淲e had a good game in the first half but the game later in the second half went down. Therefore, we have to avoid the mistakes we made.
鈥淎 Clasico is always a Clasico, even more so if it鈥檚 a final. Playing against Barcelona is always something special.鈥�
He added: 鈥淚f there鈥檚 a defeat, it鈥檚 a defeat. It鈥檚 the final; we鈥檙e very close to another title and we鈥檙e thinking positively.鈥�
Ancelotti confirmed that in-form Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham will be fit and available for the clash.
鈥淗e is fine; he has recovered well. It was a normal load from matches. It鈥檚 very important because he鈥檚 on a good run. He is a player who has made a difference,鈥� the manager said.
鈥淏arcelona are always a historic rival and playing against them is very complicated; you can鈥檛 predict the result. We will try to do our best and try to win another title.鈥�
Flick told the media that he hopes to win his first major trophy as Barcelona manager.
He described Real Madrid as a 鈥済reat team,鈥� adding: 鈥淲e are fully prepared for them tomorrow night and hope we can perform better than what we did against Mallorca.
鈥淲e created many mistakes and we need to reduce them tomorrow night. Madrid is one of the best teams in the world in transition and they take advantage of any option you give them.鈥�
The Dutchman confirmed that Dani Olmo is 鈥渧ery excited to play again.鈥�
Since the Spanish Super Cup was moved to 抖阴短视频 in 2020, Real Madrid and Barcelona have delivered unforgettable showdowns.
Of the five editions held in 抖阴短视频, Real Madrid have claimed three titles (2020, 2022 and 2024), while the Catalans have won once (2023). Athletic Club triumphed in 2021, rounding out the winners of the new era.