Spanish media placed the blame on Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, following the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the La Liga clash on Sunday. The daily newspaper AS highlighted in its headline "Ancelotti's Suicide," referring to his decision to position midfielder Luka Modric (36 years old) as a false nine behind Vinicius and Rodrigo in the absence of the league's top scorer Karim Benzema due to injury. The Madrid-based newspaper added, "On a day when the most logical thing was to compensate for Benzema's absence with the simplest changes, Ancelotti did the opposite, and his decisions cost the team an embarrassing defeat."
Ancelotti admitted his responsibility immediately after the loss. He told the journalists, "My plan was to give the team more control and better pressing up front, but it did not work; I told the players that I was wrong." After falling behind by two goals in the first half, Ancelotti decided to make further changes, relying on a three-man defense with the aim of securing the defense, but it led to an even greater failure.
Marca newspaper stated in its main headline, "Thibaut Courtois Saved Real from Greater Humiliation," referring to the goalkeeper who made at least four critical saves to prevent a higher scoreline. It continued, "It is a painful slap in the face. Barcelona came to Madrid and toyed with the league leaders who were unrecognizable."
Barcelona-supporting media were ecstatic. The Catalan sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo stated, "Barcelona is back, and it was a complete humiliation in Madrid. They toyed with the leaders and ended a series of defeats in the classics." Barcelona had not won against Real Madrid in three years, a dismal record reflecting the club's struggles until Xavi Hernandez took over the team in November. Sport newspaper noted, "Xavi Changed History," adding, "Xavi wanted to change the losing mentality. His future project needed a boost with these good results since the beginning of the year. There is no better way to prove that Barcelona has become great again than winning the classic at Santiago Bernabeu."
