European champions Real Madrid will host Schalke on Tuesday, holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their last 16 tie. According to Capital FM, Madrid have strung together 10 consecutive victories in Europe.
Despite their European success, Los Blancos have struggled domestically in 2015. They surrendered their lead at the top of La Liga after being beaten 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao, while Barcelona thrashed Rayo Vallecano 6-1.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he was at a loss to explain why his star-studded strike force, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale, has suddenly gone off the boil. "It seems strange to say Madrid have a problem up front when we have scored so many goals throughout the season, but I think it is the truth," Ancelotti said.
Captain Iker Casillas insisted that the team’s La Liga woes would not affect their performance in the Champions League. "This competition is different. For Madrid fans, it means everything," Casillas told the club’s website.
Schalke was on the receiving end of Real’s run towards the title at the same stage of the competition last season, losing 9-2 on aggregate. However, left-back Christian Fuchs retains hope for a famous comeback at the Bernabeu. "We travel now to Madrid in a positive frame of mind, no one will bet on us, so maybe there is a chance for us," Fuchs said.
Madrid will be boosted by the return of Luka Modric after over four months out with a torn thigh muscle. Sergio Ramos also returned to training on Sunday after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring problem but may not be risked by Ancelotti ahead of a potentially decisive La Liga clash with Barcelona.
