Carlo Ancelotti praises Real Madrid’s ‘complete game’ after 4-0 Barcelona win, with Karim Benzema at ‘optimum condition’

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 05: Carlo Ancelotti, Manager of Real Madrid, looks on prior to the Copa Del Rey Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on April 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Apr 5, 2023

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says his side played a “complete game” as they beat Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou to book their spot in the Copa del Rey final.

Real went into the second leg of their semi-final having suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.

But a goal from Vinicius Junior and a second-half hat-trick from Karim Benzema secured a memorable win and sets up a final against Osasuna on May 6.

“It was a complete game, it was a good moment of suffering in the first half,” Ancelotti said. “The first goal changed the dynamic of the game and we created a lot of damage in the transitions when we had space.”

Vinicius Jr put Real in front just before half-time in what had been a cagey opening 45 minutes. Benzema doubled the away side’s lead on 50 minutes, then converted a penalty eight minutes later before capping off the win with his third goal shortly before full-time.

Benzema had been experiencing a difficult run of form but his three goals on Wednesday made it six in two for the 35-year-old, after he also scored a hat-trick against Real Valladolid on Sunday.

“After the game on Sunday, we said it: The work he has done during the break has helped him,” Ancelotti added.

“He has regained his optimum condition and he makes a difference, without a doubt.”

And there's the hat trick!! ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Karim Benzema bags his third of the night and Real Madrid's fourth as they run riot over Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou! 👀 pic.twitter.com/dWykmsMRHR

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 5, 2023

Benzema won the 2022 Balon d’Or after a remarkable campaign that saw him score 44 goals in 46 matches as Real won the Champions League, La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana.

Ancelotti was asked whether Benzema could repeat that feat after his remarkable two games and replied: “Why not? Without a doubt, he is still one of the best players in the world at the moment. If he is well, he makes the difference.”

Real return to La Liga action on Saturday when they host Villarreal. Ancelotti’s side then welcome Chelsea to the Spanish capital on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

They remain 12 points behind Barcelona in La Liga with 11 matches still to play.

GO DEEPER

Real Madrid thrash Barcelona to reach Copa del Rey final: El Clasico analysed

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became AS and Cadena Ser correspondent. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver Real Madrid news, interviews, stories, and more.