Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti not planning to rest players vs. FC Basel

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he will start all his superstars -- including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale -- in Wednesday's Champions League game against Basel, even though his team have already all but secured top spot in Group B.

With a 100 percent record from their first four games Madrid are now fully in control of the group, with Basel battling for second spot alongside Liverpool and Ludogorets.

While some reports have said that some key players could be rested given Madrid's busy upcoming La Liga schedule and looming Copa del Rey and Club World Cup commitments, the Italian told his prematch news conference at Sankt Jakob Park that his aim was to pick his strongest team and win the game.

"The team will not change much from the game on Saturday against Eibar," Ancelotti said. "I have some doubts about the full-backs, who are a bit tired. But in front of that the same players will start. It is true we are qualified, but we need to play well and ensure we win the game. The idea is to play the best team possible, to play the best game possible."

As well as ensuring seeding in the last-16 of the competition by winning the group, another victory on Wednesday would equal the club record of 15 consecutive wins currently held by former coaches Jose Mourinho [2011-12] and Miguel Munoz [1960-61].

"The truth is playing well in each game is the most important thing for us," Ancelotti said. "If this team has reached this level, it is because we have prepared each game well, and played with a lot of concentration. I cannot say that to enter into the history of this club is not important. But we can only achieve it working well as we have been doing. Any game can be a problem, as you can drop a little in any moment. So the motivation is keep running, fighting, sacrificing yourself on the pitch so this moment continues as long as possible."

Madrid have travelled for the game without centre-back Pepe and midfielder Sami Khedira, while another midfielder Asier Illarramendi has overcome his fitness issue and is included. Ancelotti was keen to play down any controversy over Khedira's omission, given the Germany midfielder was fit enough to play for his country last week but has barely featured for Madrid this season.

"Khedira could not travel as before the game against Eibar he had an issue with his hip," he said. "That problem means he could not train since the weekend. So we have preferred, like with Pepe, to leave him at Valdebebas to prepare so he can be ready for next game.

Illarramendi being back was a positive, said Ancelotti, while suggesting the Basque was unlikely to come into the XI.

"Illarra has had an injury, he is fine now," he said. "He is available, but I do not know how many minutes he will play. He can help us. The most important thing is that he is fit and ready to play."

Ancelotti also had measured words of encouragement for on-loan Manchester United attacker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who despite scoring three goals during occasional substitute appearances is unlikely to start against Basel.

"Chicharito's situation is positive," he said. "The few times he has played he has been very good. He is physically ready to play, [but him not starting] is just about the characteristics of the players. The team is doing well at the moment."

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