Ancelotti warns Real Madrid stars about one key aspect ahead of Spanish Super Cup final | OneFootball

We are merely hours away from witnessing the 2025 Spanish Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

It promises to be a riveting encounter between two sides, who have had rollercoaster starts to their respective campaign.

While Real Madrid are leading the league table, they were handed a 4-0 beating by Barcelona earlier in the season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti and his men, therefore, will be desperately seeking retribution tonight.

Ancelotti’s warning to his players

Ancelotti, though, wants to make sure his team’s courage and determination do not turn into complacency.

To that end, the Italian tactician has issued a stern warning to his players about key aspect of tonight’s final against Barcelona.

As reported by Real Madrid Confidencial, Ancelotti has specifically highlighted that tonight’s game will not go into extra time but directly to penalties.

The Real Madrid coach, therefore, wants his players to give their all – both physically and mentally – in the second half.

Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were humbled by Barcelona earlier this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Knowing the unpredictable nature of penalties, Real Madrid simply cannot take a chance and must look to beat Barcelona within the stipulated time.

It must be noted that the federation has removed the rule of extra time from this edition of Spanish Super Cup.

The decision was likely made considering the gruelling schedule of European clubs in the month of January. Real Madrid, for their part, are slated to play 10 matches in 28 days.

Dragging thirty more minutes on a Sunday night, just a few days before they eventually resume the La Liga campaign, won’t have made much of a sense and will have put immense stress on the players.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti, for his part, wants his team to beat Barcelona before the final whistle and avoid the scenario of penalties.