Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti speaks up on countering Dani Olmo in Super Cup final amid registration saga
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has opened up on countering Barcelona's Dani Olmo amid the player's registration saga ahead of the game on Sunday, January 12, in the Supercopa de Espana final. The two Spanish heavyweights lock horns at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in the first El Clasico of the year.
The Catalans will have Dani Olmo available for selection for the game after securing his registration on a temporary basis. The Spanish midfielder's involvement was in doubt after his registration with LaLiga expired at the end of December.
Barcelona had to move to the Spanish Higher Sports Council (CSD) to secure a precautionary measure, which allowed them to termporarily register Olmo as well as Pau Victor. Many clubs in LaLiga and LaLiga 2 have voiced their concern regarding the verdict, but Real Madrid have maintained their silence on the matter.
There's a chance that Dani Olmo could be decisive for the Catalans in El Clasico and cost Los Blancos the trophy. When pressed on the matter, Ancelotti stated that his team will have to keep the Spaniard quiet.
“It would happen that we have not been able to stop a very good player. Dani Olmo is going to play and we have to try to minimize his quality,” said Ancelotti.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have already met once in the league this season. Hansi Flick's team secured a 4-0 win over their arch-rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu in October last year.
How many players have won the Supercopa de Espana with both Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Only four footballers have won the Supercopa de Espana with both Barcelona and Real Madrid to date.
The first player to achieve the feat was the legendary Gheorghe Hagi, who played for both Spanish giants. The Romanian won the tournament with Los Blancos in 1990 and four years later with their bitter rivals.
Luis Enrique matched the feat in 1996, when he won the Supercopa de Espana with the Catalans. The Spaniard had previously won the tournament in 1993, during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luis Figo and Ronaldo Nazario are the only other players to have managed the feat. The Portuguese lifted the Spanish Supercup first with Barcelona in 1996 and two more times with Real Madrid in 2001 and 2003. O Fenomeno, meanwhile, won the trophy with the Catalans in 1996 and once again with Los Blancos in 2003.
