Real Madrid: Ancelotti’s Scathing Reaction to Mbappé After Barça’s Slap

Real Madrid endured another nightmare in the Spanish Super Cup final, succumbing to a humiliating 5-2 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals FC Barcelona. Despite an early lead, the Merengues crumbled under the weight of Barcelona’s relentless attacking display, leaving Saudi Arabia empty-handed and fans questioning the team’s direction.

The match began with promise for Real Madrid as Kylian Mbappé scored a stunning goal in the 5th minute. However, Barcelona quickly responded through an individual masterpiece from 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, leveling the score in the 22nd minute. From there, it turned into a one-sided affair. Robert Lewandowski (36th), Raphinha (39th), and Alejandro Baldé (45th+10) inflicted further damage, sending Barcelona into halftime with an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Despite a spectacular free kick from Rodrygo in the 60th minute, which gave Madrid faint hope, Barcelona sealed their 15th Spanish Super Cup triumph in emphatic fashion. For Real Madrid, it was another painful reminder of their struggles against elite opposition, and the fallout from this defeat has cast a long shadow over the club.

After the match, head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media with a tone of frustration and resignation. “It was a bad evening. We are sad, as are our fans. It is a disappointment we must accept. In football, there are victories and defeats, but we must learn from them,” Ancelotti said on Movistar.

Ancelotti didn’t shy away from addressing his team’s glaring defensive issues. “We defended badly, whether in the high press or the low block. That allowed them to score too easily,” he admitted. The Italian also revealed his harsh halftime message to the squad: “I told them that we could lose, but not in this way.”

While singling out Kylian Mbappé as the best performer of the night, Ancelotti lamented the lack of impact from the rest of the squad. “Mbappé was exceptional, but football is a collective sport. We need everyone to step up, and tonight, that wasn’t the case.”

The Spanish press was merciless in their assessment of Ancelotti’s tactical choices. Prominent daily Sport highlighted Real Madrid’s recurring inability to perform against top-tier opponents. “Real Madrid has been strong in lesser fixtures, but when they face teams like Barcelona or Liverpool, their system collapses,” the publication noted.

The defense, anchored by Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, was heavily criticized for its failure to contain Barcelona’s dynamic attack. Many fans and analysts questioned Ancelotti’s decision to stick with a conservative lineup instead of experimenting with younger, more energetic players like Brahim Díaz or Arda Güler.

This latest debacle has reignited speculation about Ancelotti’s future at the club. With key fixtures in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League on the horizon, the Italian coach is under immense pressure to turn things around quickly.

The defeat has also exposed deeper concerns about the squad’s structure. Jude Bellingham’s advanced positioning left the midfield vulnerable, while Vinícius Jr. continues to struggle to recapture his best form. Fans voiced their frustrations, blaming Ancelotti for failing to trust younger players and relying too heavily on veterans like Tchouaméni and Lucas Vázquez.

Ancelotti’s tenure at Real Madrid has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks, but this defeat has amplified the voices of his critics. “He is our misfortune tonight,” one fan wrote in frustration, reflecting the growing sentiment among supporters.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s schedule offers little respite. They face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey just days after this crushing defeat, followed by crucial league matches and the return of the Champions League. The pressure on Ancelotti and his team is immense, with every misstep likely to fuel further scrutiny.

Despite the gloom, Ancelotti sought to project a sense of resilience. “We cannot dwell on this result. We have to regroup, analyze our mistakes, and focus on what lies ahead,” he said. Whether the squad can respond positively remains to be seen, but the stakes couldn’t be higher for the club’s ambitions this season.

This defeat also served as a stark reminder of the changing dynamics in Spanish football. Barcelona’s resurgence under their new leadership, bolstered by young talents like Yamal, has posed a significant challenge to Real Madrid’s dominance. For Los Blancos, rebuilding their reputation as Europe’s premier club will require more than just tactical adjustments—it will demand a cultural shift within the team.

The coming weeks will be critical in defining the trajectory of Real Madrid’s season. For now, however, the wounds of this Clasico humiliation remain fresh, leaving the club and its fans with more questions than answers.