Ancelotti, Simeone focus on fit rather than injured players ahead of Champions League

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti preferred not to focus on the players who will miss the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final which sees his side entertain city rivals Atletico on Wednesday night and to concentrate on those who are available.

With the tie in the balance after a 0-0 draw across town a week ago, Real Madrid will be without the suspended Marcelo as well as injured trio of Luka Modric, Gareth Balen and Karim Benzema.

All four have been fixtures in Ancelotti's starting 11 when fit this season and will be missed, but the Italian has options such as Jese Rodriguez, Isco, Alvaro Arbeloa and Javier Hernandez, all of who can step into the side.

"The solution is in the players we have who are motivated and fresh. They will help the team to play like we did in the first leg," assured Ancelotti, who accepted injuries are a part of the game.

"We have to live with them;" he said. "We've had them before and for important games. Bale, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Xabi) Alonso weren't available for important games last season, so I'm convinced that the squad is in good shape and fresh," he said.

Meanwhile his Atletico counterpart Diego Simeone was not interested in who may or may not play for Real Madrid, saying some members of the press were more interested in Madrid injuries, while "we're more interested in preparing for the game and that Atletico play well."

"There will be different players (for Real Madrid) but they will have the same desire. We are not going to change much, we have an idea and we can imagine how our opponents will play, and we want to hurt them," he said.

That was basically all the news Simeone was willing to give about his possible starting 11, saying his players "would be first to know," who would and would not start on Wednesday. Endite