Carlo Ancelotti has called on Real Madrid's star-studded attackers to chip in defensively against Atletico Madrid.

Madrid take on their city rivals on Saturday 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 the 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 told reporters.

"But we can't just ignore the fact that we have lost key players such as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao [to ACL 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 have failed to beat any of their 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 their Champions League play-off clash at Manchester City.

They meet an Atletico side in scintillating form. However, Ancelotti was hopeful his inconsistent team could rally themselves 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."

Ancelotti has only won 35% of his matches as Madrid coach against Atleti in all competitions (G23 W8 D7 L8); only against Man City (17% - G6 W1 D3 L2) has he posted a lower winning percentage among all his rivals faced at least five times with Los Blancos.

In fact, Madrid have lost two of their last five meetings with Atleti in all competitions (W1 D2), as many defeats as in their previous 15 derbies (W6 D7 L2).