Ancelotti warns Real against letting win get to their heads

MARRAKECH — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti may have described his side as the “best club” in the world, but the Italian was quick to remind his players their season is not over yet.

On Saturday, the reigning European champions underlined their status as the world’s top club side after goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale saw them overcome Argentina’s San Lorenzo 2-0 to lift the FIFA Club World Cup in Marrakech.

It meant Real will go into 2015 having stretched their winning run to 22 matches in all competitions — a Spanish record — and adds to their 2014 haul of the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the European Super Cup. They are also four matches shy of equalling the record run of 26 consecutive wins by Ajax Amsterdam in the 1971-72 season.

“It was incredible, unforgettable ... It was a fantastic year,” said the Italian. “Now we have to keep it up because the season didn’t end today. We’re just halfway through it, but we will work really hard to make 2015 as good as 2014.”

Ancelotti knows Real must not suffer a hangover from their win in Morocco as they seek to turn their focus back on the Spanish league — they face Valencia on Jan 4. But their commitments at the FIFA Club World Cup have meant arch-rivals Barcelona have cut their lead to just one point at the top of the standings.

Although the tournament features the club champions of the respective continents, it has often been criticised for lacking real competitiveness.

For Ancelotti, though, the win is another item on the bucket list.

“We can keep going and we have to face the future with great enthusiasm. We deserved to win this tournament. We can say that right now Real Madrid is the best club in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand side Auckland City beat North/Central American champions Cruz Azul of Mexico 4-2 on penalties in the third-place match after both sides finished 1-1. AGENCIES