Real Madrid - Barcelona: No Courtois and no innovations in El Clásico, Ancelotti confirms
How to prepare for a game like El Clásico
"Like all Clasicos, it's a special game, but you prepare for it in the same way as the others. Then you have to add the emotional aspect, the pressure, the worry, the calm and everything that comes with a match of this type."
Courtois' condition
"He has trained very little and is not comfortable, so he is ruled out for tomorrow. He will train with more continuity next week. We'll see on Wednesday or the following Sunday, but the important thing is that he has recovered from his problem and now he just needs to train."
How is Rüdiger
"He is fine. He just needs a mask to prevent the wound from opening up again, but he's not in any discomfort and he's comfortable. He has a lot of enthusiasm and he is a warrior."
Second halves tend to be good for Real Madrid and bad for Barcelona
"You have to take into account the characteristics of the teams. They start very strongly in the first half and we are better in the second. It could be an aspect for the match. This is going to affect the game and we are taking it into account".
Rodrygo as a substitute or as a starter
"When I think of Rodrygo, I think of an extraordinary and forceful player. Last year he did better as a substitute because he didn't get the minutes I'm giving him this season. He is proving that playing as a starter he also does very well. He can play in all the attacking positions and that's an advantage for him."
On whether he will innovate again against Barça
"I don't want to invent, I never have. Inventors don't exist in football. Last year I tried to invent something and I got beat. A team that is very clear about what it has to do on the pitch, attacking, defending? That's what top level matches are like, we're playing against a great rival and we have to play a complete game both in attack and defence and that's the only way to win matches and titles."
Barcelona's poor form and what worries him the most
"I have to look at a team that has won every game in LaLiga except for one draw. They have a very good dynamic in the domestic competition and that's what we look at even though they've had problems in the Champions League. In LaLiga they are being spectacular."
Precedent from last year's 0-4
"I haven't shown them any video. The players know their opponents very well. Last year's game won't affect us, it's a new season and another Clasico. We are looking forward to playing it, everyone is excited about it the day before. We want to show a good image for our fans. It's not going to be a do-or-die game. It's a special game, but the season is very long and the game comes early. We'd like to win it, and because of that excitement I think we're going to enjoy it more."
Who would be most hurt by a defeat
"I don't know how they are. We have to think about our game and try to win it. Barça are a team that have the resources to have a great season."
How he is seeing Militao's season
"He is doing very well, with more continuity than last year. He's at a very high level and has the individual and physical qualities of a top level centre-back."
Benzema's poor start to the season
"I've seen him much better this week, his condition has improved a lot. I'm convinced that in the Clásico we'll see the same Karim we've always seen".
Different ways of playing football
"Barça's history speaks for itself. They follow a style that the fans and the club like. I respect it and I'm not saying it's not right. It's an idea of football that they have, that has given them success and they still have it. Other teams think differently. What I think is that having just one style is not the best thing to do because players change. The most important thing is that the players are comfortable with the style they play".
On whether it will help him to have seen how Inter played at the Camp Nou
"We play differently to Inter. What Inter showed was bravery. They didn't give up when they conceded goals and they played very effectively. I don't think that will help our game because it's going to be a different, even game."
What Rüdiger brings to the defence
"He is very strong in duels and heads in both areas. It's no surprise that he scored against Shakhtar. Like Militao, he has that quality in his heading. What he brings most is his mentality and his personality. He's a winner and never stops in training."