A method is described for controlling a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, including predefining a setpoint combustion point for a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, predefining a calculation model for calculating a probable deviation of a future cycle of the engine from the predefined setpoint combustion point while taking an ascertained actual combustion point of a completed cycle engine into consideration, predefining a mean deviation for the engine, operating the engine for a first cycle and ascertaining an actual combustion point of the first cycle, calculating a probable deviation of a second cycle, which occurs after the first cycle, of the engine from the predefined setpoint combustion point, comparing the calculated probable deviation of the second cycle to the predefined mean deviation, and ascertaining at least one operating variable for operating the engine at least during the second cycle as a function of the comparison. Also described is a related method.