Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid deserved their 3-1 Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday and the performance and atmosphere at the Bernabeu stadium felt like “a Champions League afternoon.”
Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde put Madrid ahead in the first half, before Ferran Torres pulled a goal back for Barca. But substitute Rodrygo added a late penalty to secure the three points in added time.
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“In the first half we were better, more clinical, more effective,” Ancelotti said. “They tend to press high and we had the confidence to play out from the back. Defensively we did well. The team was committed, we didn’t leave any spaces. That first half was the key to the game.”
Madrid’s win leaves them three points clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table with nine games played, as they look to defend the title won last season.
Ancelotti said the home side’s dominance in midfield thanks to Toni Kroos and goalscorer Valverde was crucial.
