Carlo Ancelotti Mocks Barcelona in Encouraging Message to Real Madrid Players Ahead of El Clasico

• Carlo Ancelotti has taken a swipe at Barcelona’s form ahead of El Clasico this weekend against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu
• Ancelotti has told his Real Madrid players that it is the right time for them to strike at Barcelona following the Catalans' poor Champions League run
• Real Madrid will seek to overtake Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table as Los Blancos currently sit behind their arch-rivals on goal difference

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti is feeling confident ahead of El Clasico against Barcelona, as Los Blancos seek to reclaim the top spot in La Liga from the Catalans.

Real Madrid will host Xavi’s men at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, October 16 in the first leg of the biggest game in Spain - and Ancelotti has chosen to motivate his players by mocking Barcelona.

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According to Barca Universal, the Italian manager has urged his Real Madrid players that now is the best time to strike against Barcelona, as they are short on confidence heading to El Clasico.

“Barça are dead right now, and the only way they can revive is by beating us on Sunday. We can’t let them win again. This is a final.”

Barcelona dropped points again in the UEFA Champions League midweek. They face an early exit in Europe’s elite club competition after playing to a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan.

Barcelona's Raphinha warns Real Madrid

Meanwhile, Barcelona winger Raphinha has sent a warning to bitter rivals Real Madrid before this weekend's first El Clasico of the 2022–23 La Liga season.

Raphinha stated that the reigning La Liga champions need to be worried heading into the blockbuster encounter, adding they should be the cautious team and not Barcelona, One Football reports.

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Barcelona and Real Madrid occupy the top two positions in the La Liga standings respectively, with the Catalans ahead of their eternal rivals on goal difference.

Courtois returns for El Clasico

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Real Madrid has received a massive boost ahead of El Clasico against Barcelona this weekend, with the proposed return to fitness of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois was sidelined with a back injury and has missed Real Madrid’s last few games, with reserve goalie Andriy Lunin replacing the Belgian shot-stopper in goal for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid Manager, Carlo Ancelotti has now confirmed Courtois could feature for the Spanish champions against Barcelona in the first El Clasico fixture of the season.