Carlo Ancelotti makes Liverpool Istanbul joke as Real Madrid chase down title

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti insists the La Liga title race isn't over yet, despite his team sitting 10 points clear at the top of the table following Sunday's results.

The Spanish giants extended their lead with a convincing 3-0 away victory against Mallorca. Second-place Sevilla, meanwhile, could only manage a 1-1 draw at Real Vallecano. Barcelona are in third - 15 points behind their El Clasico rivals with a game in hand after beating Osasuna 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

Although Real are set to win just their eighth league title of the century, Ancelotti isn't getting carried away - referencing AC Milan's famous collapse in the Champions League final 17 years ago. Ancelotti's Milan were 3-0 up against Liverpool at half-time but, somehow, lost the Istanbul game.

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"Nothing changes," said Ancelotti on Sunday evening. "On Sunday [against Barcelona], we have to win and take advantage of the fact that the team is very well physically. I know how you lose a Champions League final when winning 3-0, it happened!"

Despite Ancelotti's caution, Real are enjoying a vintage season under the former Chelsea manager. The capital club have already won the Spanish Super Cup and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, beating Paris Saint-Germain - one of the tournament's favourites - in the last 16. A record 14th European crown would surprise few.

As Ancelotti referred to, the Barcelona game is one of their few remaining obstacles in La Liga. The Catalan giants have been in impressive form since Xavi was appointed in November, losing just once in the league. They've dropped just only points in 2022.

"Everybody knows that Xavi's Barcelona is in a very good period right now," said Galatasaray manager Domenec Torrent, who is hoping to overcome Barcelona in the Europa League, earlier this month. "They may be at the best time of the year. They could have been better if they were in the Champions League.

"Everyone knows that they have a very good team. Young players are a treasure for Barcelona and you have to use them. Quality players always come to Barcelona and it was no surprise to me that the current generation of young players adapted in such a short time."

Torrent went on to say: "Xavi is someone who has done great things. He's doing great things right now. They have very clear ideas. He knows very well what to do. The fact that Barcelona will continue with Xavi is very good news for them."

Real will be hoping Karim Benzema is fit to face Barcelona on Sunday, as the Frenchman has become the team's talisman since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in the summer of 2018. Benzema has scored 32 goals in 34 appearances this season but limped out of the win against Mallorca.

"Benzema is the most complete number nine for me," said Rio Ferdinand after Benzema scored a hat-trick against PSG. "He does every part of the game fantastically well."

Benzema is the all-time French top scorer with 413 goals, breaking the record against Mallorca. "Karim Benzema is indisputably one of the greatest number nines of all-time," added Gary Lineker.

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