Carlo Ancelotti likens Real Madrid to a ‘diesel’ before Atlético showdown

The Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has likened his team to a “diesel” as they prepare to renew their rivalry with their neighbours Atlético on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti said he was not worried by Real's slow start because
'Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal a game'

Real got the better of La Liga winners in the Champions League final but Atlético came out on top in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of this season.

Although it is still very early in the campaign, Real need to bounce back after they lost to Real Sociedad in their second game.

"The team is working hard and one thing for sure is that the team is a diesel," Ancelotti told Il Giornale.

"My confidence lies on two pillars: I have a group of professionals that are very concentrated and Cristiano [Ronaldo] scores a goal a game."

Real are making a fresh start after losing Ángel di María to Manchester United and Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich while their new recruit James Rodríguez is taking time to adapt. On top of that Sami Khedira will be absent for over a month with a knee injury.

"I will find the right solution for Madrid," said Ancelotti. "All the signings and transfers have been given the green light from the coach."

The Atlético defender Juanfran felt Real were still a formidable side but that the Spanish champions now had the beating of them.

"We will go into the game with the idea of winning but we won’t have an excess of confidence. The derbies have been fairly equal recently and we have managed to break a [negative] run. The Real fans now look at us differently," Juanfran said.

"Real have an incredible team and while some leave, others come in. Their president says that they sign the best and that is possible for very few. They cannot complain about the team they have."

"We are a very strong team and we will use our strengths and make the most of them. We will not change our way of playing. Some teams play one way and others another. The Atlético fans are delighted with ours and it doesn’t matter what other people say."