Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid have a plan to stop Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and says it’s the same as for any other forward.
Madrid and Barca meet on Saturday evening in the season’s first Clasico and Ancelotti’s pre-match Press conference saw questions about Messi and the team the Italian will field.
Ancelotti appeared to give away his XI in an interview with Cadena Ser, when he revealed Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos would come into the side.
“I like surprises and there might be one in tomorrow’s team,” Ancelotti said, AS reports, drawing speculation he regrets revealing his likely side.
“If I put one player in I have to take someone out. But I won’t switch to a back three. Maybe I could remove a midfielder and play a forward, or vice-versa.
“Stop Messi? It’ll be the same as usual. Don’t give the forwards space. We need two lines that don’t give any space.
“No team is perfect. We have to find Barca’s weakness. I’ve thought a lot about this game, which will be seen around the world. I love to prepare a team and this doesn’t put pressure on me.”
Ancelotti was also asked if he had meant to mock Luis Enrique, Barca and Messi when he said he took off Cristiano Ronaldo against Liverpool without having to ask.
The remark, accepted as a joke by Enrique, was a reference to Messi refusing to go off against Eibar.
“It wasn’t a provocation. I respect the work of Enrique and all my colleagues,” Ancelotti protested.
“If people thought I was provoking them then they’re wrong.”
The match will see Luis Suarez available for Barca for the first time but Ancelotti refused to be drawn into discussing the Uruguay forward in too much detail.
“Suarez isn’t my concern. I respect his quality but it doesn’t change their idea of the game or ours,” he replied.
“He’s a fantastic player and it’s good for the League that he can play.”
