Real Madrid play host to RB Leipzig for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid will be without the trio of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba for this game.
Courtois and Militao are nearing a return from ACL injuries picked up earlier in the season, but Alaba will not play again until next season, having suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of last year.
The team did not suffer any fresh issues against Valencia, and Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger who both missed out against Leipzig in the first leg due to injury, are back to the team.
Real Madrid hold a 1-0 advantage against Leipzig from Germany, and Ancelotti has said that they must be at their best nevertheless.
“We are facing an important opportunity to continue in a special competition. We have to get our best version because, although we have a small advantage, the fixture is not over,” Carlo Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
Aurelien Tchouameni started in defence against Valencia despite Nacho being available, but Ancelotti has said that the Spaniard was suffering with ‘some discomfort’, and he has some doubts over the next course of action.
“I have some doubts about the eleven and I’m not going to give clues. Tchouameni and Rüdiger’s pairing was because Nacho had some discomfort. Now Nacho is fine and has possibilities (of starting),” said Carlo Ancelotti.
“Talking about the season today is complicated. So far we have done very well but we are missing a lot. When the end arrives, we will make an evaluation. So far, I can’t reproach my team for anything.
“The key point of my management is that I have very good players. They want to learn, improve and be part of this club and that is the most important thing. They give their everything to execute what I ask of them to their best ability.
“We can improve in the transitions. In the first leg, [Andriy] Lunin made good stops but we have to prevent them from reaching our area because they are very effective.
“Obviously we know that we can’t be overconfident. We have evaluated the match of the first leg and I think we are prepared to show the improvements. At the defensive level, we suffered because it is a very fast team in the transitions. Rudiger is back and he’s going to help us.”
