Real Madrid’s season rests on El Clásico

Ahead of the upcoming match against Getafe, Carlo Ancelotti made no secret of what's at stake: “Both titles we’re competing for depend on beating Barcelona.” The Real Madrid boss is fully aware that the next few games, especially the Copa del Rey final against their archrivals, could define his tenure.

In a calm but firm tone, the Italian addressed the mounting pressure: “I’m very happy, but there’s a lot of pressure. Stress is fuel for me,” he said. Despite still being in the LaLiga race—four points behind leaders Barça—the recent Champions League exit has added weight to every upcoming fixture. Winning trophies is now essential to salvage the season.

A leadership style under scrutiny

Ancelotti also stood by his player-first management approach. “I don’t use the whip. If that’s what you want, hire another coach,” he said, addressing criticism of his so-called “soft hand.” He emphasized that while he’s had moments of frustration, his coaching philosophy is based on mutual respect and open communication.

Despite the challenges, the coach is focused on guiding the team through the final stretch. Wednesday’s LaLiga clash against Getafe will feature some rotations, with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ferland Mendy expected to return for the cup final against Barcelona.

When asked about his future, Ancelotti responded candidly: “Anything is possible in football. I’m not out for revenge. I love this club, and if my time here ends, I’ll tip my hat and be grateful.” Still, he hinted that his fate might depend not just on results, but on the club’s broader evaluation at season’s end.

One thing is clear: if Real Madrid hopes to end the season with silverware, they must go through Barcelona. And Ancelotti knows it better than anyone.