Ancelotti has opted to return to the 4-2-3-1, placing Modric and Valverde in midfield as pivots and leaving out Camavinga and Tchouaméni.
An Ambitious and Creative Real Madrid
Real Madrid will face the third day of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund with a creative team, more creative than if Tchouaméni and Camavinga were in the lineup.
Ahead of the pivots are Rodrygo, Bellingham and Vinícius. Up front, Mbappé. The result is an ambitious Real Madrid that won't let itself be dominated by the finalist of La Decimoquinta.
Ancelotti is taking a chance with Modric three days before the classic. This could be interpreted as a rest for the French men, who are being saved for a more physical battle against Barcelona.
It's also a warning, however for Tchouaméni and Camavinga, who aren't performing at the level expected of them this season.
Rehearsals before the Classic
Ancelotti will play with Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé and Vinícius.
It'dll be a dress rehearsal for the classic. Borussia Dortmund also likes to control the ball and impose possession, the same with Barcelona.
This season, Flick's men have only lost possession against Monaco, and that was because they played with ten men for 80 minutes.
Ancelotti will try Modric, although he's aware that, at 39, he's no longer fit to play the full 90 minutes. The Italian coach has asked him to give his all until he can no longer do so. Camavinga will then take his place.
The Italian coach wants to be ready for Saturday's test against a team that will hunt down the ball, as will happen today.
Ancelotti's Regret
Ancelotti admitted that "a back-and-forth game suits us. We have more difficulty during possession games because we don't have players with the ability to play in tight spaces."
Ancelotti prefers to counterattack, although that also means taking defensive risks.
"They can take advantage of the open field. We are focused on defending better, that is the key of the season. The team is less solid in this sense and we are working on it," said the Real Madrid coach.