Carlo Ancelotti has said he is “not the best but not the stupidest” as he deals with the aftermath of Real Madrid's recent heavy defeat to Clasico rivals Barcelona.
From the Italian side dismantled 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah despite taking the lead in the fifth minute through Kylian Mbappe. It was Madrid's second game of the season against their arch-enemies, with October's 4-0 mauling at the Santiago Bernabeu still fresh in the memory of many supporters.
Ancelotti was less than impressed with his players' performanceadmitting his team had “defended badly” and “didn't play”, but took a completely different stance when probed again about his side's shortcomings in the build-up to their Copa del Rey last 16 tie on Thursday with Celta Vigo.
“This is a press conference and not a debate. I have already had the debate with my technical staff and my players to find the best possible solutions,” warned Ancelotti.
“I don't think this is the right place to open a debate. I don't follow the wave of criticism, that one day you're the best and the next you're the dumbest. Fortunately, thanks to my experience, I have balance. I don't think I'm more ok, but I don't think I'm stupid either.
“It was a step back, but we have to look forward because we are still in a good position in every race. It hurt us a lot, but it didn't sink us.
“Obviously it was a bad game, we made a lot of mistakes. We analyzed it, evaluated it and found a solution. A month ago we won the Club World Cup (FIFA Intercontinental Replay) and six months ago we won Champions League.
“We're competing. We lost one game, it was a final, it hurt, but we've won a lot of finals. It was a tough loss, but it was just one game. We're doing well in every competition and we'll keep going. fighting.”
Ancelotti has often bounced back from adversity and boasts one of the most impressive managerial CVs in the history of the game. The 65-year-old has won a record five Champions League crowns and won the domestic title in each of Europe's top five leagues. MadridChelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and PSG have all claimed domestic success under his watch.