Ancelotti is delighted at El Clasico’s win but Xavi decries poor officiating.

Football legend Carlo Ancelotti hailed his Real Madrid team after winning El Clasico 3-2 against bitter rivals FC Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

A 91st-minute Jude Bellingham strike was enough to seal the victory and an 11-point lead at the summit, which led Ancelotti to conclude that the La Liga title is "much closer" to Real Madrid TV.

"I'm very proud because they were two very demanding games," the Italian remarked, about this match and a Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester City his side also won midweek.

"We handled them very well and we are very happy. Now we have to prepare for the last part of the season, but we are well positioned, with a lot of desire and enthusiasm and a fantastic atmosphere at the Bernabeu. I think all together we can achieve something positive this season."

Ancelotti's opposite number Xavi Hernandez slammed the match official for his performance, plus La Liga's lack of match football which he and his captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen called an "embarrassment".

Pushed to remark on this, Ancelotti said: "I don't want to comment on what Xavi thinks. Everyone is free [to think what they want]. It was a difficult well-played, high-level match. I don't think the goal was a goal because there's no clear image [of it]. And the penalty [on Lucas Vazquez] I think is clear."

Vinicius Jr. seemed to have a bit of a row with the manager when brought off, and Ancelotti shed light on their heated discussion in the dugout.

"He didn't like the change. He wanted to continue, but it was time to bring in fresh legs," Ancelotti said.

As for the hero of the evening Bellingham, who became the first player to score in his first two Clasicos for Real Madrid since Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2007, Ancelotti noted that the Englishman "hadn't scored for a long time and scored a goal that is very important".

"It's been a while since he's scored, but he played a great game."

 

On upcoming matches, Ancelotti vowed that his team is "going to face them seriously because it's the best way to prepare for the Champions League" where Bayern Munich awaits in the last four.

"This week has been spectacular, unforgettable. It couldn't have been done better. As usual, we haven't given up."

But Xavi Hernandez blasted La Liga for not employing goal-line technology.

The coach was furious after Lamine Yamal had a shot that Barcelona said crossed the line not given as a goal after officials could not prove that it had using VAR.

With the score level at 1-1 Yamal cleverly flicked a corner towards goal and Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin pushed the ball to safety, potentially after it had crossed the line.

"It's a disgrace," said Xavi, complaining that the technology used in other top flights is not available in La Liga.

 "If we want to be the best league in the world we have to advance in this sense, you have to put in the technology."

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen agreed with his coach.

"It's shameful for football, I don't have the words," said the Germany international.

"There's so much money in this world and there's no money for what's most important."

"(Madrid) have had an extraordinary league, they have lost just one game, and they've almost wrapped it up," admitted Xavi.

"I feel that with the game we played the normal thing would be that we would win.

"We competed very well, I think we deserved the three points."