At Can Barça, they won't say it out loud. But the news (Real Madrid's victory over Juventus) has been celebrated as if it were a last-minute goal.
Real Madrid keep advancing in the Club World Cup, and for the culé environment, that has a very clear meaning.
Los Blancos will dive straight into a frenetic preseason and will reach LaLiga running on empty, without their players having recharged their batteries.
Lethal schedule for Real Madrid
If Xabi Alonso's team reach the final of the new Club World Cup, its last match will be on July 14. From that point, the 15 days of mandatory vacation for international players will be automatically activated.
That means they won't return to work until August 1, just two weeks before the start of the league.
A minimal window to recover, train, plan... Above all, to avoid injuries. In addition, a friendly against the Brazil national team awaits on the horizon. The match is the result of the agreement between the Brazilian Confederation and Ancelotti before he leaves his position as coach.
Everything suggests that Real Madrid will have a very rushed preparation, with little time to recharge and with a plan made against the clock.
It's understandable that Deco has commented that, regarding Barça's interests, "the further Real Madrid go, the better."
Barça, the opposite: more rest than ever
In contrast, Hansi Flick's Barça will have the calmest and longest preseason in recent years. Most of its footballers finished their official season on May 26. Internationals will be released after the Nations League on June 13.
That is, almost two months of rest in some cases.
In addition, Flick will have 15 days to prepare the team tactically before the Asian tour. Another 15 to measure its performance during the friendlies. No pressure, no stress, and with real time to rehearse his playing model.
Flick, the big winner
Barça's planning has been perfect for the new coach. Flick will have entire weeks to work on automatisms, positioning, high pressing, defensive transition... Above all, to evaluate who fits and who doesn't in his model.
Meanwhile, in Madrid, Xabi Alonso will have to assemble his project with hardly any time or margin for error. The 2025-26 season will start with a fresh, rested Barça and a clean schedule. Exactly the opposite of what awaits the eternal rival.