Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Barcelona’s form this season is not making him lose sleep, ahead of Saturday’s Clasico.
Hansi Flick’s Barca team — who dismantled Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday — travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face second-place Real Madrid, in what will be a tight contest in what seemingly sets up for a close title race this season.
Ancelotti’s Madrid side are unbeaten in 42 LaLiga games and could match Barcelona’s all-time record of 43 if they avoid defeat.
“The truth is they are doing very well,” Ancelotti said at a news conference.
“In a game like the Clasico, a derby, it’s hard to pick a favourite.
“Luckily nobody is taking any sleep away from me at the moment.”
Madrid were above Barcelona last season as they defeated them in both La Liga Clasicos.
Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham scored three times in those two games during a fantastic campaign, but this season has not found the net in his first 10 appearances across all competitions.
Ancelotti said he was happy with Bellingham’s performances and that the task was now on superstar striker Kylian Mbappe to headline the scoring sheets for Los Blancos.
Bellingham, playing up front at the start of last season after Karim Benzema’s departure, scored 10 goals in his equal games during his opening spell at the club.
“Last year we had no striker, we lost an important striker like Karim, we replaced him with the goals of Bellingham, Joselu and Brahim (Diaz).
“This year we don’t have a problem, because we have a striker that can score 30, 35, 40 goals.
“The important thing is (Bellingham) does his work, which is very important,” continued Ancelotti.
