Ancelotti calls for team effort as derby looms
Carlo Ancelotti has called on Real Madrid's star-studded attackers to chip in defensively against Atletico Madrid in the derby this weekend.
Madrid takes on its city rival on Sunday (AEDT) in a top-of-the-table clash in LaLiga.
After a shock defeat to Espanyol last week, Los Blancos would be overtaken by Atletico should Diego Simeone's team win at Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti has been dealt blows by recent injuries to David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, leaving him short of defensive options, and the Italian knows it will take a team effort to keep Atletico at bay.
"The defensive problem is everyone's problem, including the strikers. It's a collective problem," Ancelotti said.
"But we can't just ignore the fact that we have lost key players such as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao [to anterior cruciate ligament injuries]. And, despite that, we are still fighting and in contention in all competitions.
"Rudiger and Alaba will be back soon, but let's not forget that we are going through times of emergency, having lost very important defenders in a crucial part of the season."
Madrid has failed to beat any of its top-four rivals this season and will face another massive challenge in the coming days, travelling to England next week for the first leg of its UEFA Champions League play-off tie at Manchester City.
It meets an Atletico side in scintillating form. However, Ancelotti was hopeful his inconsistent team could rally for an intense derby.
"What we need on Saturday are three points, there is nothing more than the three points we need. We don't think beyond that," he said.
"We will face a strong opponent and it's true that we have not been at our best in some cases this season, but what matters is that tomorrow we have to win and to win tomorrow we need to be solid, to find our balance."
