Carlo Ancelotti says he will keep things simple as he prepares for Sunday’s Clasico with Barcelona.
The Real Madrid manager deployed Luka Modric as a false nine during the last meeting between the two in March, a game in which Barca ran out 4-0 winners.
“I’m not going to reinvent the wheel, you can count on that," Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday with a wry smile.
"Last time I tried to play the inventor, they gave me a beating. So I don’t expect we will be doing anything out of the ordinary on Sunday.
"We will play like we usually do. They are a great rival and we need to be on top of our game."
Ancelotti said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the game due to a lack of practice as he gets over the back injury that led him to miss the last four matches.
"He is recovered and that’s great for us. But he needs more practice to get back to peak form. We won’t rush him back until he is ready," Ancelotti said.
But he confirmed that he will have the services of defender Antonio Rudiger, who had 20 stitches in his forehead after clattering into Shakhtar Donetsk’s goalkeeper in their Champions League match on Tuesday.
"He will need a protective face mask but is clear to play. Rudiger is a warrior and if you look at him, he is so excited and looking forward to Sunday’s game," Ancelotti said.
The Real boss said Barcelona’s disappointing Champions League performances would not be a factor. Barca have only won one of their four Champions League games and are on the verge of elimination from Europe’s elite competition at the group stage for the second straight season.
"Barcelona have won all their LaLiga games except for their debut. They have had problems in the Champions League but it’s a different competition with a different outlook. In LaLiga they have been extraordinary," Ancelotti explained.
"We are going to enjoy ourselves, we want to win - but there is still a long way to go."
Additional reporting from Reuters
