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Carlo Ancelotti has defended himself against criticism following Real Madrid’s crushing 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, asserting, “I’m not the best, but I’m not the dumbest either.”
The Italian tactician faced questions over his team’s performance in Jeddah, where despite taking an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid were comprehensively outplayed by their arch-rivals. The loss marked their second heavy defeat to Barcelona this season, following a 4-0 thrashing at the Santiago Bernabéu in October.
Ancelotti Reflects on Defeat
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey round of 16 clash with Celta Vigo, Ancelotti was measured yet firm in addressing the fallout:
“This is a press conference, not a debate,” Ancelotti clarified. “I’ve already discussed solutions with my technical staff and players. Criticism can be extreme—one day you’re the best, the next, the worst. Fortunately, I have the experience to stay balanced. I know I’m neither the best nor the dumbest.”
Acknowledging his side’s shortcomings, Ancelotti added:
“It was a step back, and we made many mistakes. It hurt us, but it didn’t sink us. We’ve analysed the game, found solutions, and moved on. A month ago, we won the FIFA Club World Cup, and six months ago, we lifted the Champions League. We’re competing well in every competition, and one bad game doesn’t define us.”
Ancelotti’s Legacy of Resilience
Ancelotti has built a career on resilience, boasting one of football’s most impressive managerial CVs. At 65, he is the only manager to have won the domestic league in each of Europe’s top five leagues and holds a record five UEFA Champions League titles. Clubs such as AC Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid have thrived under his leadership.
Despite this latest setback, Ancelotti remains focused on steering his team to success:
“We’ve won many finals and will continue to fight for titles. This was a heavy defeat, but it’s just one game. We are still well-positioned in every competition, and our focus is forward.”
