Today Real Madrid want to take another step towards accomplishing their goal of becoming the first team in history to retain the Champions League title. The Whites will be looking to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for a fifth straight year and to that end they have to make the most of the 0-2 lead they took in the Veltins-Arena against Schalke 04.
Ahead of what is their fifth two-legged knock-out tie in a row against a German side (the rivals have been Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 on two occasions, as well as Bayern Munich), Ancelotti has announced a 21-man squad. With Marcelo and Kroos both one caution away from receiving suspensions, Modric's return is made all the more noteworthy. “It is a good bit of news because the important players can help us out towards the end of the season. I want to bring him on for 30 minutes”, pointed out the coach.
Ahead of what is their fifth two-legged knock-out tie in a row against a German side (the rivals have been Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 on two occasions, as well as Bayern Munich), Ancelotti has announced a 21-man squad. With Marcelo and Kroos both one caution away from receiving suspensions, Modric's return is made all the more noteworthy. “It is a good bit of news because the important players can help us out towards the end of the season. I want to bring him on for 30 minutes”, pointed out the coach.
The Santiago Bernabéu has become an impenetrable fortress for opposing sides in the Champions League. In fact, the Madrid team have gone four seasons without losing in their ground. They have put together a string of 21 consecutive matches unbeaten, of which 19 have ended with triumphs, the last 11 of which have been done in successive fashion.
The European champions' numbers are spectacular and even more so when taking into account that should they beat Schalke today, they will become the first team in the history of the Champions League to record 11 straight wins. Only Bayern, between April and November 2013, have managed to win ten consecutive matches along with this current Real Madrid side.
Schalke return to the Bernabéu
The German outfit return to Madrid for a second season in a row after putting an end to a run of four games without a win against Hoffenheim (3-1). With Boateng suspended and Draxler, Obasi and Farfán injured, they will be looking to turn the tie around. Their away record in this year's Champions League reads a win in Maribor (0-1), a draw against Chelsea (1-1) and a defeat to Sporting de Portugal (4-2).
The European champions' numbers are spectacular and even more so when taking into account that should they beat Schalke today, they will become the first team in the history of the Champions League to record 11 straight wins. Only Bayern, between April and November 2013, have managed to win ten consecutive matches along with this current Real Madrid side.
Schalke return to the Bernabéu
The German outfit return to Madrid for a second season in a row after putting an end to a run of four games without a win against Hoffenheim (3-1). With Boateng suspended and Draxler, Obasi and Farfán injured, they will be looking to turn the tie around. Their away record in this year's Champions League reads a win in Maribor (0-1), a draw against Chelsea (1-1) and a defeat to Sporting de Portugal (4-2).
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