Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has named his squad for Saturday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, with Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Rodrygo out of the contest through injury.
Mendy remains a long-term absentee due to a hamstring problem, while Alaba and Rodrygo both picked up injuries during Tuesday's 5-2 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of Real Madrid's last-16 Champions League affair.
Alaba could potentially be out for up to a month with a hamstring problem, while Rodrygo is said to be facing two weeks on the sidelines with the gluteus muscular injury.
There is positive news, though, with Aurelien Tchouameni back in the squad after recovering from illness; Mariano Diaz is also available for selection after missing out against Liverpool with a muscular issue.
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"We're looking good. We come out of the Champions League with a good feeling. The match will be special, against a team that is in a good moment like us. It will be a nice duel as it was in the Copa [del Rey]," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"We're doing well, the team has improved. [Toni] Kroos, [Dani] Ceballos, [Luka] Modric. In general, the team is better. We are more focused."
Ancelotti also confirmed that Tchouameni and Kroos "are fine and can start", with the former only just recovering from flu and the latter appearing as a late substitute against Liverpool in the Champions League following an illness of his own.
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The Italian was also asked about Atletico head coach Diego Simeone during his press conference.
"I like him as a person because he is honest when he assesses the games. He is a successful coach, he has triumphed at Atletico by introducing a mentality and has made the team recognisable," he added.
"I would like to spend time with him because we love football. He has nothing to learn from me. I would like, for my personal experience, to understand his work on a day-to-day basis. How he prepares tomorrow's game, for example. That gives you knowledge."
Real Madrid are currently second in the La Liga table, eight points behind leaders Barcelona, while Atletico are fourth, four points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis in the race for the Champions League spots.
Real Madrid squad vs. Atletico Madrid:
Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Mariano, Alvaro
Matt Law
