Ancelotti Says Real Madrid Criticism ‘Harsher Than With Other Teams’

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said that criticism with Real Madrid is harsher than when it comes to other teams, following its 4-1 win over Las Palmas in the Bernabeu on Sunday.

The Italian has been under fire on more than one occasion in 2024/2025, with scrutiny intensifying again following the 5-1 loss to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend which caused him to be whistled by home fans midweek.

Following his men’s return to the top of the La Liga table by a two-point margin, Ancelotti was cheeky when he said that “football is like that now” and leaves him “still a little confused”.

“There are days when we play very bad football and I see Madrid as leaders. I will continue studying to see if I am wrong or not. The match was complete, with a lot of quality. We started badly, but we held up well. [Kylian] Mbappe helped us a lot,” he explained.

“We are capable of having balance to have good moments and difficult moments. I think the criticism is harsher with Madrid than with other teams, yes. There is criticism and there is criticism, the whistles are criticisms that hurt, it is the fans who are not happy, and that motivates us. It is a wake-up call. Celta [Vigo in the Copa del Rey] was a useful wake-up call for the team, we have brought out a good version of ourselves.”

Ancelotti further praised Mbappe, who he called “the best centre-forward in the world”.

“There were doubts about whether he could play there or if he could play better on the left. He is a great striker, he is very good in the central area – more than on the wing. His way of losing his marker is unique and inside he can take advantage of it better,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti didn’t want to say that Madrid “are the ones who play better” than everyone else.

“Sometimes we play well and sometimes we don’t. The team is hard-working, sometimes they play better and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they lack balance, sometimes commitment… No one is perfect. I don’t see any super-team playing fantastic, we try to play with the characteristics of our players,” Ancelotti added.

Ancelotti was asked how many lives he has, and insisted it is just one.

“I have one and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “I’m trying, as best as possible. Madrid helps me to enjoy myself a lot.”

He also didn’t accept that this has been his most difficult week in the dugout but still it hasn’t been easy.

“No, it has been a difficult week, as are all weeks in which you get a blow and you have to be with the team, cheering… When you lose the Clasico it’s more difficult, of course, but in difficulty the only way to get through it is to be self-critical and positive,” he concluded.

Now that it has retaken the lead in La Liga, Madrid will turn its attention to the defense of its Champions League crown and playing a third consecutive home game against Salzburg on Wednesday.