21 March 2023 , 19:30
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Dani Carvajal has opened up on the El Clasico rivalry within the Spain camp after it was reported that the Barcelona and Real Madrid players have been 'kept apart in training'.
Xavi Hernandez's side ran out 2-1 winners over their arch rivals on Sunday evening. A Ronald Araujo own-goal gave Los Blancos the lead, before goals from Sergi Roberto and Frank Kessie earned Barca a comeback victory.
It was a result that moved Barcelona 12 points clear at the top of La Liga as they close in on their first title since 2019. As expected, the game was passionate and feisty with tensions high throughout.
The Spanish players from both sides were involved in a couple of altercations, with Dani Ceballos and Gavi in the most notable one as the duo battled for the ball late on.
Now, according to El Chiringuito, via the Daily Express, the Barcelona and Real players have been kept apart in Spain training sessions to allow tensions to cool down.
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It is understood Gavi and Alejandro Balde trained together, while Real trio Ceballos, Nacho and Carvajal stood elsewhere during the session. Speaking about tensions within the camp, Carvajal admitted the players will now "defend the same shirt" and turn their attention to international football, instead.
Things got heated between Real Madrid and Barcelona players (Getty Images)"The friction on the pitch is nothing more than friction in high-tension matches," Carvajal said. "They are two rivals between whom there are very intense games. Now, in the national team, we defend the same shirt and we are in the same boat."
Spain host Norway on Saturday, before travelling to Scotland three days later. These are the first two games of Luis de la Fuente's tenure in charge after he replaced Luis Enrique following the World Cup.
Meanwhile, during El Clasico, there was a contentious decision when Marco Asensio's goal was ruled out through VAR as an offside was spotted in the build-up. Carlo Ancelotti thought the goal should have stood, but Carvajal reckoned the decision was correct.
Dani Carvajal trains with the rest of the Spain squad (Getty Images)Ancelotti stated: "The offside in the World Cup was clear, but today I'm left with this question. Was it offside? I don't know. The offside with the semi-automatic seemed quite clear. The game is lost."
Carvajal said: "We have to dedicate ourselves to playing and doing our best. On Sunday, it was considered offside and that’s because it was. We have to abide by the decision and not doubt the technology at any time."
Real Madrid are next in action when they take on Real Valladolid immediately after the international break. They then face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg, with Barcelona ahead 1-0 from the first tie.