Wild card Suarez won't ruin Real Madrid plans, says Ancelotti

 
Oct 24, 2014 12:01:52

The Italian coach is determined to stick to his gameplan despite the imminent return of the Uruguayan and believes Barca are more motivated under Luis Enrique

Carlo Ancelotti does not believe Barcelona's wild card option Luis Suarez will ruin Real Madrid's chances of winning El Clasico on Saturday.

The Uruguayan has been out of competitive action for four months since being banned from football for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, but is clear to make his Barca debut against their fierce rivals.

Ancelotti is not concerned that last season's Premier League top goalscorer will disrupt his own plans unduly at Santiago Bernabeu.

"If Luis Suarez plays tomorrow or not, it won't changes our plans," the Italian coach told reporters on Friday. "If he does play, it's not a problem for us.

"Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, I like him a lot. It's good news for football that he is now able to play."

Ancelotti, who is in his second year as Real Madrid boss, thinks the Catalunya club have been boosted by Luis Enrique's appointment this summer and highlighted Lionel Messi and Neymar as dangermen.

"Barca seem to me to be a more motivated side - they have a new coach and new players," he continued. "Defensively, they're very solid.

"I have a lot of respect for Luis Enrique, if anyone thinks I have tried to provoke him, they are mistaken.

"Defending against such good team with Messi and Neymar is very important. I don't think we have an advantage in midfield, either.

"We'll do the same as we always do: try to not give Barca any space. It's not just about stopping one player."

European champions trail Real Madrid trail La Liga leaders Barca by four points heading into Saturday's clash - a game Ancelotti believes is the pinnacle of football.

"Preparing for the Clasico is very easy, at least, because we know Barcelona," Ancelotti added. We have to do everything very well - defending and attacking.

"The perfect team doesn't exist, we're not perfect, we have defects like everyone else. But there isn't another game in the world with this so much quality."

Ancelotti also confirmed that centre-backs Pepe and Sergio Ramos are expected to be fit to start at the Santiago Bernabeu.