Schalke hold no Real hope in Champions League Bernabeu battle

Real Madrid welcome Bundesliga outfit Schalke to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 encounter, having secured a comfortable 2-0 first leg lead in Germany.

The reigning European champions, 3/1 favourites with Coral to retain their title this term, will be confident of capitalising on their two-goal advantage, with strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo earning the Galacticos a strong advantage.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s second-placed La Liga outfit have struggled in recent weeks, and come into their latest European match-up on the back of another disappointing domestic defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao.

Madrid were toppled thanks to an early Aritz Adruiz header at the San Mames Barria, with their Italian boss Ancelotti declaring that he must take all of the blame for recent poor results.

“The team has a problem in that we need to have a clearer idea of what we’re doing in attack,” said Ancelotti. “We don’t circulate the ball fast enough and the strikers are not getting any chances.”

Los Blancos were also held to a recent lacklustre 1-1 home draw by Villarreal, leaving bitter rivals Barcelona to take their place at the Spanish league summit.

“It’s weird to say that Real Madrid have troubles in attack because we have scored many goals but it’s true. My team is playing poorly and I have to take all the responsibility,” Ancelotti continued.

“But I will not give up because the league is complicated and it is not finished. We will work hard to turn things around.”

The hosts will have to bounce back quickly and rediscover their usual free-scoring form, with Schalke having secured a 3-1 triumph over Hoffenheim in their previous German league outing.

However, Roberto Di Matteo’s men, 14/1 to win, are on a poor run of form on their travels this season, having picked up just a single victory in their previous five league games on the road, including three losses.