Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged his team to bounce back quickly following their disappointing 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the Italian tactician emphasized the importance of Thursday’s Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash against Celta Vigo as an opportunity to restore their confidence.
“This is a great chance to put the bad performance behind us,” Ancelotti said. “The defeat hurt us a lot but hasn’t broken our spirit. This game comes at the right time for the team to respond strongly.”
The Spanish Super Cup Final defeat, marked by defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion, drew criticism from Spanish media.
However, Ancelotti avoided blaming individual players in the Spanish Super cup Final, acknowledging that the entire team had struggled defensively.
“It wasn’t just the attack or midfield; every line of the team lacked commitment defensively. We’ve worked on solutions since the loss,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Ancelotti reminded fans that Madrid remains in contention across all competitions. “We’re in a good position. It was a step backward, but we must keep moving forward,” he said.
The 65-year-old coach dismissed the media criticism, noting the volatility of public opinion. “One day you’re the best coach in the world; the next, you’re the stupidest. My experience has taught me balance—I’m neither,” he remarked.
With the Santiago Bernabeu hosting the critical Copa del Rey match, Ancelotti hopes for a strong response from his players to silence doubts and refocus their campaign.