Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted he would “prefer not to say” what would have happened to him if he had experienced a slump in form comparable to Barcelona’s recent run of success under Hansi Flick.
Ancelotti is under enormous pressure in Madrid after a humiliating 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana [Spanish Super Cup]but things don’t look much better on the other side of the Clasico divide. While Flick’s side have impressed in cup competitions, things are spiraling out of control in La Liga.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Getafe means Barcelona have taken just six points from the last 24 available – a performance that sees them fall four points behind Madrid having played a game more.
Ahead of Madrid’s clash with Las Palmas on Sunday, five-time Champions League winner Ancelotti was asked if he had endured a similar run of success.
“It’s better that I don’t answer you,” replied the 65-year-old. “It is better to have such problems here than anywhere else, but I would rather not answer them.”
Fans have expressed their frustration towards Ancelotti by booing the Madrid boss recently and he admitted that fans have every right to criticize him if something goes wrong.
“You always have to improve and learn, because if you think you know everything – and that’s not the case for me because I like new things – you slowly lose your level,” admitted the Italian. “There are many things I need to improve.
“A coach’s responsibility is to make sure his team plays good football and sometimes we didn’t do that. The defeat against Barcelona is my responsibility and I accept the boos because they are fair, but I don’t think people have forgotten what we have, what we have done in the past or what we will do because we fight at the top.”