Real Madrid will look to get back to winning after their recent La Liga blows against Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal as they host Schalke in the second leg of the Last-16 round of the Champions League.
Luka Modric will make his return after three months on the sidelines due to a thigh injury. The Croatian has long been expected to return by the fans, since Los Blancos have lost their creativity in attack since he’s been out.
After last weekend’s defeat at Bilbao, Carlo Ancelotti confessed they need to improve their attacking, and Modric is seen as the piece that could make the offensive work again.
The Croatia international is expected to come in from the bench in the second half, although he could also feature from the start pairing with Toni Kroos in midfield. In case he sits on the bench, Ancelotti will have to choose between Lucas Silva and Asier Illarramendi for a spot in the line-up.
With Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez still injured, Ancelotti will display almost the same starting eleven that featured against Athletic. The only change could be the right-back, as Alvaro Arbeloa could come in to give Daniel Carvajal some rest.
Los Merengues obtained a 0-2 victory in the first leg in Germany and they should easily qualify for the next round.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Bale, Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Schalke: Wellenreuth; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Fuchs; Barnetta, Neustadter, Meyer; Huntelaar; Choupo-Motin.
