Ancelotti: Barcelona look more motivated than last year

The Catalans failed failed to win a major title in 2014-15 but are riding high at the top of La Liga under new coach Luis Enrique

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that Liga rivals Barcelona look “more motivated and competitive” this season than last.

The Blaugrana ended the 2013-14 campaign without a single major trophy to their name, having been pipped to the Liga title and eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico, as well as losing the Copa del Rey final to Real.

However, the Catalans appear reinvigorated under new coach Luis Enrique, who replaced Gerardo Martino at the helm over the summer, and currently sit top of the Primera Division after racking up 19 of a possible 21 points from the first seven rounds of action.

“They look more motivated and competitive in comparison with last year,” Ancelotti mused in an interview with his club’s official website. “Barcelona are always a very strong team.”

However, Ancelotti says that Madrid, after a rocky start to the season, have also improved since lifting their 10th European Cup in May and he is thus optimistic about Los Blancos’ chances of become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League.

“This year we are clear on the key aspects of our play, though we can’t always play at our peak level,” the Italian explained. “The only problem is that we have conceded more goals than normal, but in terms of our play we’re better than last year.

“We had some difficulties at the beginning because August was difficult, as there were players coming back from the World Cup and they did not have time to prepare. Now we’ve had time to prepare and the team is in good shape, motivated and up for it.

“I won two European Cups in a row as a player with AC Milan. Last year we talked about the obsession with La Decima. It was the major motivation and in the end we won it. Now we’re thinking about La Undecima … That is our aim.”

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