Real Madrid cut Barcelona's lead to eight points in LaLiga with a 2-0 triumph over Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio were back in the Los Blancos starting line-up, as Ancelotti opted to rest the likes of Rodrygo, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
The opening exchanges proved to be a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to keep possession while the final pass was also lacking at both ends.
Los Blancos did manage to carve their first chance after 21 minutes when Karim Benzema collected a pass from Vincius Junior but with the goal in his sight, the French forward failed to hit the target.
Sadly, that proved to be the only clear-cut chance in a disappointing for most of the first half where Ancelott's charges dominated without seriously troubling Celta shot-stopper Ivan Villar.
Ancelottt's team-talk certainly change three minutes before the break when Asensio broke the deadlock with a close-range strike that a took a deflection and looped over Villar.
The second goal arrived shortly the break when defender Eder Militao sent a powerful header into the far corner after getting on the end of Asensio's corner inviting corner.
Villar was key to helping Celta keep the scoreline down as he produced another good save to thwart Benzema' s header after Vinicius went on another mazy run down the left flank.
Courtois, meanwhile, was finally called into action with 13 minutes to go as the Los Blancos goalkeeper did well to tip Iago Aspas' out for a corner as the defence was caught napping.
In the end, Madrid were able to hold on for the clean sheet to go along with the victory, as they keep their slim title hopes alive.
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