As anticipation builds for the Copa del Rey final this Saturday, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has taken a moment to show respect for his Real Madrid counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, amid rising pressure on the Italian coach.

Despite the intense rivalry between the two Spanish giants, Flick has spoken with admiration about Ancelotti’s achievements and the challenges he’s currently facing at the Santiago Bernabéu.

“It’s not nice to see what’s happening with Ancelotti. He’s won everything for them, and I have the utmost respect for him,” Flick said in his pre-final media duties.

Ancelotti’s position has come under scrutiny after back-to-back heavy defeats in El Clasico and Real Madrid’s quarter-final exit from the UEFA Champions League. With Los Blancos also seemingly surrendering the La Liga title to Barcelona, speculation has intensified over his future.

Flick, however, refused to join the chorus of criticism and instead focused on the pedigree of his opposite number.

“They have a great coach and he’s one of the best coaches in the world,” Flick continued. “We don’t know if it’s a good thing for Madrid to have one less day of rest until the Copa del Rey final.”

His words not only show class but also serve as a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of elite football, mutual respect between competitors is still very much alive.

As Barcelona prepare to battle Real Madrid for silverware, Flick’s praise for Ancelotti adds another layer of intrigue and sportsmanship to what promises to be a thrilling Copa del Rey final.