Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month's UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up.

Ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, following a 2-1 win in the first, Ancelotti said that he was hopeful his goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Ruediger should be OK after missing Sunday's match with minor issues.

A couple of moments of magic from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz helped Real Madrid edge city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 Champions League encounter between the sides at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. 

"This is a heavy blow, we have to bounce back. Losing at this point in the season is tough because everyone is on form and we didn't do well in this game," the Italian told reporters.

Ancelotti said he was in awe of Endrick's remarkable skill after the 18-year-old Brazilian scored the winner and fired a brilliant strike off the post.

If Madrid progress as far as possible in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, as well as the Club World Cup in the summer, they could play 72 games this season.

Modric, Ballon d'Or winner in 2018, scored Real's opener in the victory, controlling a looping clearance from a corner with his chest before unleashing a sublime long-range volley which arrowed into the top corner in the 41st minute.

Ancelotti said Mbappe had the potential to reach the same level as club great Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Real's all-time leading scorer with 451 goals in 438 games for the 15-times Champions League winners.

When the topic of miracles in the Champions League comes to the fore, the first team that would pop up in any fan’s mind would be Real Madrid.

Ancelotti was delighted to finally lead Real to their first success at the Etihad Stadium, a victory he thought was deserved due to the chances created, with Real having 20 shots compared to 11 from City, despite falling behind twice.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side lacks composure to defend a lead after Real Madrid struck twice late on to snatch a 3-2 win from the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the Champions League holders a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat first leg of their knockout phase playoff on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.

Ancelotti rested several key starters ahead of Saturday's LaLiga derby against Atletico Madrid and next-week's Champions League playoff clash at Manchester City.

The holders will face either Celtic or Manchester City in the two-legged playoff on February, with the second leg at home.

The reigning champions of Europe are ensured of their place in at least the knockout play-off round as the league phase of the revamped Champions League wraps up with its final matchday this week.

Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti was overjoyed with Kylian Mbappe's first hat-trick for the club as they beat bottom side Real Valladolid 3-0 away on Saturday to extend their lead atop LaLiga to four points.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti quashed rumours regarding the future of star forward Vinicius Junior on Friday, saying the Brazilian is committed to staying with the reigning European and Spanish champions.

Ancelotti heaped praise on his forwards, with Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo scoring twice either side of a goal by Kylian Mbappe as last year's winners secured a spot in the knockout stage.

The Italian coach said that he was never in doubt that the 26-year-old forward was going to find his form despite a slow start in the Spanish capital after arriving from Paris St Germain, playing in a more centralised role up front.

Aurelien Tchouameni dropped out of Real Madrid's squad to face Las Palmas in La Liga on Sunday "due to discomfort in his left leg", said the Spanish champions in a statement.