Ancelotti: "I have the best squad in the world"
Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid will overcome their injury problems because he has the "best squad in the world" at his disposal.
Madrid go into Wednesday's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid without Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric owing to injury and Marcelo due to suspension but the Italian says he has the squad to be able to deal with such an injury crisis.
"I have the best squad in the world and it is important to focus on the players who are going to play and not on those who are not playing," Ancelotti told the official Real Madrid website. "The answer will be to play fresh players, who are enthusiastic, fit, and who can help the squad to play as we did in the first leg. We have to learn to live with injuries. It happened to us in important games last season. This is not going to harm our confidence because the squad is good and is really going to go for it."
He added: "The entire squad deserves to play and all of the available players are in very good physical condition and really motivated."
Ancelotti will be without two of his 'BBC' for the match owing to the absence of Bale and Benzema. Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez are both vying for starting roles and they will be charged with helping breakthrough an Atleti defence that has helped Diego Simeone's side to a seven match run without defeat against Los Blancos.
“We have not beaten them this season because they are a very strong side with one of the most solid defences in the world," he said. "It is difficult to score goals against them. The first half of the away leg gives us confidence, but we have to take our time. Ultimately, the important thing will be to win the knock-out round”.
Ancelotti continued: "We have various solutions. It could be Jesé or it could be through James' position, whether on the right or as a centre-half. James is doing well and will be a great help to us because he is in good form and effective at everything. Chicharito is doing well psychologically, as he demonstrated against Málaga."