Carlo Ancelotti rested key midfield duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos for Real Madrid’s win against Athletic Bilbao.

Ancelotti opted to start Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos in midfield, after Ceballos inspired a 3-2 comeback win against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey round-of-16 in midweek.

For Ancelotti, he insisted it wasn’t a risk to rest his two key midfielders.

“A risk? No,” Ancelotti said, when asked about benching Modric and Kroos.

“I don’t think so. It’s a moment of the season where it’s important to have more motivated players.

“It’s a demanding moment. Ceballos and [Marco] Asensio deserved it, with what they did against Villarreal. Toni has played every game and maybe a rest is good for him. Luka could have played but I chose this [team] and it went well.”