Today at 2:45 p.m. ET Schalke and Real Madrid, two of the last 16 sides remaining in UEFA Champions League play, will take the pitch at Veltins Arena in a match that can be live streamed by clicking this link.
During group play Schalke was neither dominant nor depressing; they broke even in terms of goals and won more games (3) than they lost (2). Conversely, Real Madrid was an offensive powerhouse that recorded 20 goals and allowed just five, finishing the group stages with a plus-15 goal differential.
"We are where we want to be," said Madrid captain Iker Casillas of his side performing well in Copa Del Rey, Primera Division, and the Champions Leauge. "We are alive in three competitions and we are fighting to win them all. We know it's going to be difficult to win a treble but we will try.
"The team is playing well and we are going through a good spell. We are giving away few goals while we are solid in attack." They are also getting star player Ronaldo back, who leads the club with nine goals. That is more goals than Schalke has scored as a team this season.
"We are looking forward to Wednesday's match," Casillas said, cautioning against overlooking Schalke as a threat. Schalke are incredibly strong physically and they are consolidating a top four spot in the Bundesliga. I consider them a dangerous rival." He also said it will be important for them to control former Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Julian Draxler is Schalke's leading scorer, but their familiarity with Huntelaar may inspire more dread.
Huntelaar admitted a victory for his side will be difficult to achieve. "Madrid are favourites," Huntelaar said to www.marca.com. "But we are playing the first leg at home and we will make them work very hard.
"Our fans are really excited about this game, which will be a spectacular one. This is the first time we face Madrid and we will try everything to beat them and continue in the competition."
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