Carlo Ancelotti ready for "a special match" against "a strong rival"

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that his side are ready for Sunday's "special match" against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano.

Los Blancos will head to their rivals off the back of eight straight wins in all competitions at the start of this season, although they have now been knocked off the top of La Liga by Barcelona.

Real Madrid thumped Mallorca 4-1 in the league last weekend, while they will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Ancelotti is expecting "a very competitive duel" in the Madrid derby, but the Italian has insisted that he is "not worried" by the atmosphere at Wanda Metropolitano.

"We arrived well, on a good run, against a strong rival, it is a special match and that is how we prepare for it. It will be a competitive match," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-game press conference.

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"They don't expect anything new and it will be a very competitive duel, a good football match because there are very good players on both teams. The match is open, but there is nothing definitive. Rivalry is normal.

"I'm not worried (about the atmosphere), we're going to play a football match, in the rival's field and the pressure from the stands supporting their team is normal. Period. There's nothing to say. We played against a strong rival and nothing else."

Ancelotti was also asked about Diego Simeone during his press conference and said that the Argentine's "great relationship with his players" has helped him thrive as Atletico boss.

"He has a great relationship with his players, he is able to build that bond and that's an important part of being a coach," the Italian added.

Simeone and Ancelotti have gone head-to-head on 17 previous occasions as managers, with the bulk of those matches taking place as head coaches of Atletico and Real Madrid respectively, and the former leads the record seven wins to six.

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Ancelotti also praised Rodrygo, with the Brazil international likely to start through the middle on Sunday in the continued absence of Karim Benzema.

"He has had more minutes and he is making the most of it. You have to be patient, keep improving, he's taking advantage of his opportunity and learning from the players who have more experience. That helps him have more confidence," said the manager.

Rodrygo has scored twice and registered two assists in six appearances for Los Blancos this season, including a goal and an assist in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Mallorca.

As well as Benzema, Real Madrid will be missing Lucas Vazquez on Sunday through injury, but Eder Militao has been named in the squad after overcoming a muscular problem.