Hansi Flick responds to Carlo Ancelotti jibe after Barcelona & Real Madrid comparison | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has sought to cool the bubbling tension with his Real Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti by clarifying his previous comments.

Flick found himself at the centre of an unwanted war of words when he appeared to fire a jibe at Madrid's scheduling complaints earlier this week.

Barcelona were forced to play Osasuna less than two days after the conclusion of the March international break and lost Dani Olmo to injury as a consequence. Real Madrid have endured their own difficulties when it comes to La Liga's match calendar and Ancelotti has rarely passed up a chance to take aim at those in power at the Spanish top flight. When Flick was asked whether he would follow Ancelotti's lead in voicing his discontent after the Osasuna match, the German boss sniffed: "We are Barca, not Real Madrid. And I'm very proud of being Barca."

When this comment was put to Ancelotti this week, Madrid's manager ironically replied: "I agree with what he said; Real Madrid is not Barcelona."

Hansi Flick's Barcelona sit narrowly ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

Flick wasn't directly asked about these gentle barbs during his press conference before Sunday's Catalan derby but actively sought to clarify his position. "I enjoy being Barca's coach," he stressed. "I respect Real Madrid, of course, and also Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most successful coaches there is and a wonderful person.

"The only thing I said is that we are Barca, and I'm very happy with that, with La Masia [the club's academy]. I feel like I'm part of a family. That involves everyone, the media here, the staff members... the big challenge is for everyone to be united. Today, that's what I see, and that's why I'm happy."

Flick has overseen two victories against Ancelotti already this season, watching his side rattle nine goals past Real Madrid in the league and Supercopa de Espana final. However, the traditional rivals remain locked in tight title race at La Liga's summit with plenty of focus already shifting towards the final top-flight Clasico of the season in May.