Sport
Carlo Ancelotti Explains Real Madrid 5-2 Loss to Barcelona in Super Cup Final
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has opened up about his team’s 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, played at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Los Blancos got off to a dream start when Kylian Mbappé found the back of the net just five minutes into the game.
However, Barcelona quickly took control, turning the tide with a dominant display.
Lamine Yamal leveled the score in the 22nd minute, showcasing his talent under the guidance of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick.
By halftime, the Catalan giants were in full command, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde adding their names to the scoresheet, making it 4-1.
Reflecting on the match, Ancelotti admitted his team’s defensive struggles were their undoing.
“We didn’t defend well, whether pressing high or sitting back,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“They scored too easily. We lost key duels and failed both individually and collectively.”
He expressed disappointment, “It’s a tough loss to take.
We’re sad and disappointed, and we’ll carry that with us. But this is football—it demands we learn and move forward.”
Saudi club Al-Hilal has given Victor Osimhen a deadline this Friday to decide on their transfer offer. The Blue Waves are ready to activate the €75 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract, while also offering the Nigerian striker a lucrative deal worth €30 million per season.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs reports that Al-Hilal remains hopeful Osimhen will say yes. This isn’t their first try to sign him—Al-Hilal first showed interest back in January 2023. Last summer, Osimhen agreed to join another Saudi team, Al-Ahli, but Napoli pushed for a higher fee, delaying the move.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has thrown his full support behind Ousmane Dembélé as a top contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Speaking ahead of their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Spain—a team featuring another strong candidate, Lamine Yamal—Deschamps praised Dembélé’s incredible season.
Just days ago, Dembélé helped Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy and was crowned Player of the Season. The win capped off a historic campaign for PSG, who also clinched the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France to complete a remarkable Treble.
Deschamps said, “The Nations League and even the Club World Cup could still shape opinions, but if I had to pick right now, it’s Ousmane—no doubt. Ask the Spanish, they’ll likely back their own, but for me, with the season he’s had, Ousmane deserves it.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has backed midfielder Vitinha to win the Ballon d’Or after a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain. Vitinha played a key role in PSG’s incredible treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Speaking after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League, Martinez praised the midfielder’s impact. “Vitinha has been vital to PSG’s success this season,” he said. “He’s been at the heart of everything they’ve achieved. He deserves the Ballon d’Or.” Despite Martinez’s strong support for Vitinha, many see his PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele as the current frontrunner for the award.
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