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La Liga
Mar 22, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

2-1

Mathieu (19'), Suarez (56')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ronaldo (31')

Carlo Ancelotti: 'Brains will win the Clasico'

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti claims that mental strength will decide the El Clasico with Barcelona.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that brains and not brawn will decide the Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday evening.

Despite coming off a run of poor form, the Italian coach believes that the battle between the two side will be won mentally.

Real have won just once in their last four games but Ancelotti insists that their current plight will not be an issue.

"The team is looking good physically. Having [Luka] Modric and [Sergio] Ramos will help us a lot. The team has improved its physical condition. But tomorrow fitness won't win the game. It will be won in the head," the 55-year-old told a press conference.

"I have never gone into a game settling for a draw in my career. Tomorrow will be no different. We have the quality to win it, but so do they. Neither team will be settling for a draw.

"The keys are for us to play our best possible game in defence and attack, to play with personality and character and impose our game... I have total confidence. In the last period we haven't played well, but my confidence is total."

Barcelona only lead their opponents by a point in the La Liga table ahead of a vital fixture in the race for the title.

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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with Brazilian forward Neymar after scoring during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on March 14, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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