Carlo Ancelotti was keen to avoid questions about Real Madrid's Supercopa de España defeat to Barcelona last Sunday, ahead of their clash with Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey.
Ancelotti watched on as Los Blancos were defeated 5-2 by their Clasico rivals, earning Hansi Flick his first trophy since taking over the Blaugrana.
It also saw Barca win a record-extending 15th Supercopa title, with Ancelotti expressing his frustrations after full-time, saying his side chose “not to play football”.
But the bitterness of that defeat seemed to linger during his press conference ahead of the last-16 tie against Claudio Giraldez's side on Thursday.
Ancelotti refused to respond to a question about Madrid making a move to sign players in January, while also giving an abrupt response when questioned about his side's commitment and attitude.
“Let's make one thing clear: this is a press conference, not a debate. I am debating with my coaching staff and my players,” Ancelotti told reporters on Wednesday.
'I don't think it is the most suitable place to open a debate here.
“(Playing at home against Celta) is an important opportunity to come back from the bad game we played, which hurt us a lot but didn't sink us.
“We want to respond, and I hope it goes well, that the response is strong after the bad game the other day.”
Madrid have not lost any of their last seventeen meetings with Celta in all competitions (W14 D3), since a 1-2 defeat at the Bernabéu in January 2017, their best unbeaten run against them in their history.
Sunday's defeat was the second time Barcelona have defeated Real this season, the first coming in a 4-0 LaLiga win at the Bernabeu in October.
After winning the Champions League and the Spanish top flight in a remarkable 2023/24 season, Los Blancos have failed to maintain the same level this season.
Ancelotti's side started the league season poorly but have since recovered, with Real currently sitting second in the LaLiga table and one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
But their struggles have also come to Europe, where Madrid sit 20th in the new 36-team Champions League table, with two games of the competition's first phase remaining.
However, Ancelotti insisted that outside noise would not hinder his work, explaining that he was focused on getting his side back on track in the coming weeks.
“I don't follow the wave of criticism that one day you are the best in the world and the next day you are the dumbest,” he said.
“I have the necessary balance, which experience has given me, to know who I am and not get carried away by the wave. I don't think I'm the best, but I don't think I'm the dumbest either.
“(Sunday's defeat) is a step back, but we have to move forward. There is still a season in which we are well positioned in all competitions.
“It was a bad match, we made a lot of mistakes. We evaluated it and found the solution. We have to move on.
“The good thing about football is that after a bad match, after such a defeat, there is a chance to do well, and that is tomorrow. It gives you the chance to concentrate a lot on what you have to do and not on what to do.” the bad things you've done.”
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