'I'm not dumb!' - Carlo Ancelotti hits back at Real Madrid critics | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti has said he is "not the best but not the dumbest either" as he deals with the fallout of Real Madrid's latest heavy defeat to Clasico rivals Barcelona.

The Italian's side were dismantled 5-2 in the Supercopa de Espana final in Jeddah despite taking a fifth-minute lead through Kylian Mbappe. It was Madrid's second drubbing of the season against their great foes, with October's 4-0 mauling at the Santiago Bernabeu still fresh in the memory of many supporters.

Ancelotti was less than impressed with the performance of his players, admitting his team had "defended badly" and "did not play", but took an entirely different stance when probed again about his team's deficiencies in the build-up to Thursday's Copa del Rey last 16 clash with Celta Vigo.

"This is a press conference and not a debate. I've already done the debate with my technical staff and my players to find the best solutions possible," Ancelotti warned.

"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 are the best and the next your are the dumbest. Fortunately, thanks to my experience, I have balance. I don't think I'm the best but I don't think I'm the dumbest, either.

Mbappe's early goal counted for nothing against Barcelona / SOPA Images/GettyImages

"It was a step back but we have to look ahead because we are still in a good position in every competition. It hurt us a lot but it didn't sink us.

"Obviously it was a bad game, we made a ton of mistakes. We analysed it, evaluated it and found solutions. A month ago we won the Club World Cup [FIFA's Intercontinental iteration] and six months ago we won the Champions League.

"We are competing. We lost one game, it was a final, it hurt but we've won many finals. It was a heavy loss but it was just one game. We are doing well in every competition and we are going to continue fighting."

Ancelotti has often bounced back from adversity and boasts one of the most impressive management CVs in the history of the game. The 65-year-old has won a record five Champions League crowns and has won the domestic title in each of Europe's top five leagues - Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and PSG have all claimed domestic success under his watch.