Ancelotti: "I can't recall another case similar to that of Casillas"

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he "can't recall another case similar to Casillas - of going a year without playing in la Liga. He has done a very good job in the games he has played, though".

On the subject of Morata, he commented: "He hasn't asked to go, he's happy here and we need Morata this year".

Ancelotti said that his team should approach its visit to Villamarín with caution: "Betis is bottom of the table and is going to go all out against us to turn its fortunes around. It played really well against Barcelona for the first 20 minutes. We need to keep our wits about us for this game".

"The attacking midfielder spot is always played by Isco. When Di María played, it was with three midfielders, not as an attacking midfielder", he said referring to the position behind the striker.

He made it clear that Marcelo would return to the starting line up: "It isn't a case of having one starter and one sub with Marcelo and Coentrao. Marcelo is in good shape physically and Coentrao has been injured for a while. He'll be rested tomorrow so that we can get more out of him".

Ancelotti picked up on the subject of Bale: "I spoke to Bale today; he feels comfortable and in good shape physically. The knock is behind him now. He's going to have a good game tomorrow".

On the formation: "The 4-3-3 gives us more defensive cover and the possession to control of the game is better. I'm not going to say which system we'll be playing tomorrow".

"The subject of Özil is closed. It's not the first time comments from me have been invented and it won't be the last. I've already explained. I was amazed a newspaper invented it", he concluded.