Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti stated his belief that he's being criticised too much for recent defeats.
Los Blancos have lost three games in the Champions League and fell 2-1 to Athletic Club in La Liga midweek.
Speaking ahead of another domestic clash with Girona on Saturday, Ancelotti said that he is receiving a criticism that he has "to accept".
"The team is not playing its best and, as always happens in football, the coach is the most responsible.
"Having said that, I think you're giving me too much criticism. Maybe you're tired of me. I'm not tired. Criticism is acceptable and I understand it. Sometimes it's fuel," he added.
It was also put to Ancelotti whether his team suffers against high pressure opponents such as Liverpool, who beat them convincingly at Anfield last week in the UCL, and Athletic Club where an off-key Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty causing the Italian to make a confession.
"It's true that Liverpool and Athletic are very brave teams," Ancelotti said.
"To solve this, we have to play more directly. Look for the second ball, when they fall. That's the easiest way. [Play a] long ball and fight for the second ball.
"That's what we can do in the future, not forcing the ball out from the back too much. We've played Champions League finals using this system. I learned this very well in England. The long ball is another part of football.
"Because if you don't have tall forwards, the second ball, when it falls, is also important. The centre-backs can win the first ball, but what's important is when the ball falls," he further explained.
Invited to gauge his level of concern, Ancelotti responded: "We have to be optimistic, considering the problems we have had. We have a valuable, quality squad.
"We have not played our best, but we will. Sooner or later. My level of concern is medium."
As for the task at hand, Ancelotti expects a "complicated" match in Montilivi.
"Girona is doing well. They are in the Champions League, but they compete very well. We have to take it as an opportunity," Ancelotti concluded.