Carlo Ancelotti will take advantage of his team’s considerable first-leg advantage over Schalke by resting a number of key players as Real Madrid have one eye on Sunday’s Clasico meeting with Barcelona.
Gareth Bale and Angel Di Maria will have the evening off, while Karim Benzema is sidelined with a thigh injury that makes him a serious doubt for the weekend date in La Liga with Barca.
Interestingly, however, Ancelotti confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will line up in his usual position on the left wing, supported by young duo Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez in a three-man strike force.
Ancelotti said: “This is the most complete squad I’ve ever worked with. It is difficult to compare because I have had some quality squads, but I am very happy because here I have a little of everything: experience, youth, quality, character and personality.”
One of the most pleasant surprises of the season has been dynamic forward Jese, who has progressed from the club’s B team to quickly become an established member of the first-team squad.
Recognising the speed of Jese’s emergence, Ancelotti joked: “He’s lucky because he’s doing his first Champions League media conference at the age of 21 – my first press appearance for the European Cup was when I was 30!”
Jese modestly insisted he still has a long way to before he can be considered a key player for Los Blancos, stating: “I only have a secondary role and you have to start to learn a lot of things when you join the first team, but I try to make the most of every opportunity the coach gives me.”
While Madrid can expect to take their place in the last eight and continue their hunt for the treble this season, Schalke are realistically only playing for pride and honour at the Bernabeu.
Midfielder Julian Draxler said: “This is a stadium all footballers dream of playing in at least once. “We are all realistic enough to know that we can’t get much after losing 6-1, but we still want to play a good game.”
