Date: Wednesday, 26 February Venue: Veltins-Arena Kick-Off: 19:45
Team News
Schalke are in line to welcome back captain Benedikt Hoewedes and youngster Julian Draxler to the starting line-up, with the latter making his return from injury off the bench on Friday's clash draw with Mainz. However, the Germans are without Atsuso Uchida, Jan Kirchoff, Marco Hoeger and Christian Clemens. Real Madrid are able to select Ballon D'or winner Cristiano Ronaldo once again after he served his three-game suspension following a read card during the draw with Athletic Bilbao. Real are unable to field Sami Khedira, who faces a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Key Stats
This is the first competitive meeting between the two sides but no Spanish team has ever scored more than one goal against Schalke but the Germans have lost three of their four home against against Spanish opposition 1-0. Real Madrid have lost their last six away games against German clubs and have been knocked out by German opponents in each of their last three Champions League knockout games against clubs from the country. Schalke have reached the knockout stages in three of the last four seasons, with only Bayern Munich boasting a better record for German clubs. Real Madrid have reached the knockout stages for the 17th consecutive time, the longest run in the history of the competition, and the Spanish giants have reached the semi-finals in each of the last three seasons. However, they haven't played in the showcase final since 2002. Real Madrid are one of only two unbeaten sides in the Champions League this season, with the other being Athletico Madrid. Schalke, meanwhile, have failed to score in three of their last Champions League games.
Likely Line-Ups
Schalke Fahrmann, Hoogland, Matip, Santana, Kolasinac, Boateng, Neustadter, Farfan, Draxler, Goretzka, Huntelaa Real Madrid Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema
Match Preview
Schalke are currently on a tremendous run domestically, winning five of their last seven and remaining undefeated since a December loss to Monchengladbach. However, Real Madrid provide an entirely different test. The Spanish giants are currently enjoying a three point lead at the top of La Liga after title rivals Barcelona and Athletico Madrid both lost at the weekend. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real are tipped as amongst the favourites for European glory this season. Schalke will be looking to former Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar for inspiration as he has been pivotal in the club's progression this season, though Arsenal target Julian Draxler could be influential if he is selected after his recent injury. Real Madrid are bolstered by the return of Ronaldo which restores their frightening front trio of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale- the latter scoring two goals in his last three appearances, including a magnificent strike at the weekend. The Spanish side should come out on top in this game with a comfortable margin to take back to the second leg, Schalke will have to stop them scoring away goals which is no easy task. Damage limitation may be required depending how the match runs out. Prediction 0-3 source - bbc football
Josh has had work featured in the Evening Gazette and on Newcastle United website. He is a Multimedia Journalism student at Teesside University and runs a successful sports blog. He also enjoys films, comics and TV, writing about anything he can. Josh has recently started writing his first of what he hopes will be many books.
