The LaLiga title of Barcelona was well deserved when Hansi Flick's side played the game with consistency and beauty, said Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti prior to the Lalala trip from Sunday to the 14th Seville.
With Barcelona who defeated Real for the Liga title, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, Real, which were beaten out of the Champions League, the club World Cup this year is only to fight in terms of silverware.
“This is part of football, sometimes you are unable to get the best out of everyone. Barcelona did very well because they have been more consistent in the competition and played very nice football,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“I congratulate them. They deserved to win this competition. Next year will be a different story.”
Real was defeated by Barcelona in all four meetings in all matches in a season in which Barca scored an amazing 97 goals in 36 league games, 23 more than real.
Ancelotti, who will leave at the end of the season to coach five -time world champions Brazil, complained about the number of injuries that had sustained his side.
“This team was able to believe even when nobody believed (in the US). I will never criticize these players who have been able to give me so much joy over the years,” the Italian said.
“There have been too many injuries and very important players … During this season this kind of injuries hurt us.”
The coach noted that his last season, after six mainly successful years in the Santiago Bernabeu in two stints, would have been even better if Real had been in the LaLiga title race until the last day.
“The Seville Ground (Pizjuan) has always been difficult for us, our goal is to try to complete the season in a high tone,” he said.
“I wanted to enjoy it in a different way, fight until the last day before the competition. That was not (the case), but I am (still) enjoying it. And then (I have) to prepare for another challenge.”