Shakhtar Donetsk boss Igor Jovicevic has urged Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti not to play Luka Modric against Shakhtar Donetsk and instead rest the midfielder for the El Clasico.

Jovicevic said: “I’m glad Luka Modrić is fine for tomorrow, but I would have preferred him not to play. Rest him for El Clásico!”

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk football director Darijo Srna has hailed Modric as the best in the world.

Srna said as per Marca: “Modrić is a dear friend. It would be good if he won’t play vs Shakhtar, but I’d be sad because I want our players to play against Luka. He’s the best in the world and they can learn a lot from him.”