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El Clasico: Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti plans surprise for 'world's best game'

Image: Carlo Ancelotti: Wary of Barcelona's attacking threat

Carlo Ancelotti is considering springing a surprise when he names his Real Madrid team for Saturday's Clasico.

The Italian spoke at length about Barcelona's quality as he addressed the media on the eve of the Bernabeu showpiece, which is live on Sky Sports 5 from 5pm.

Luis Enrique's new-look Barca already have a four-point lead over their great rivals, and Ancelotti hinted he might resort to something out of the ordinary to compete.

There isn't another game in the world with this much quality.
Carlo Ancelotti

Gareth Bale's injury will again rule him out, leaving a space in the Real attack, and the manager said: "I've been thinking a lot about the game and putting out a surprising line-up."

Enrique has a big decision of his own to make: whether or not to start Luis Suarez now the summer signing's ban for biting is served. He has confirmed that Suarez will make his debut, but it remains to be seen whether he starts on not.

Ancelotti said: "It doesn't matter if Luis Suarez plays or not. He won't change our ideas.

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"Preparing for the Clasico is very easy because we know Barcelona. We have to do everything very well: defending and attacking.

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"We can't leave any spaces for Barcelona's strikers. We have to defend with two lines."

And the Italian summed up the excitement of millions of football supporters around the world when he added: "There isn't another game in the world with this much quality."

The Real boss also stressed his respect for his opposite number when he was asked about a midweek comment made in the wake of the Champions League win at Liverpool.

Ancelotti said on Wednesday he substituted Cristano Ronaldo "without asking anybody" - apparently referencing an incident last weekend when Enrique agreed not to replace Lionel Messi after consulting his star forward.

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

Watch the season's first Clasico live on Sky Sports 5 on Saturday from 5pm.

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