Real Madrid will be aiming for yet more Champions League history when they welcome Schalke to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their last 16 clash.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are 2-0 up after the first leg in Gelsenkirchen last month, are not only chasing a spot in the quarter-finals for the fifth straight season but they are also on the hunt for an 11th consecutive victory in the competition.
The defending champions could also secure a record-equalling 12th straight home win in Europe's premier club competition but they will have to overcome some indifferent domestic form to go into the record books.
Real were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal just over a week ago and it was followed by a shock defeat to Atheltic Bilbao at the weekend, allowing Barcelona to go top of La Liga for the first time since October.
Schalke, who ended a run of four games without a win with a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday, will be hoping to prey on any Real Madrid doubt as they bid to overturn a two goal deficit.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side head to the Bernabeu in high spirits following their weekend win but they will not have fond memories of the Spanish capital, after suffering a 3-1 defeat – 9-2 on aggregate – against Real at the same stage of last year’s competition.
Team news
Ancelotti could welcome back midfielder Luka Modric, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury since November, into the fold but captain Sergio Ramos (hamstring) and playmaker James Rodriguez (toe) are still out of action.
Schalke have injury concerns over four players, including Benedikt Hoewedes and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, for the visit to Spain
Defender Hoewedes and former Real striker Huntelaar picked up knocks in Saturday's 3-1 Bundesliga win at home to Hoffenheim along with midfielder Marco Hoeger and forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Stats
This is the 18th consecutive season in which Real Madrid have reached the knockout round of the Champions League, the longest run in the history of the competition. They’ve reached the semi-finals in each of the last four seasons, winning the competition for the 10th time last year, a record.
Real Madrid have won 19 of their last 21 Champions League games (D1 L1), their only defeat in that time coming in Germany against Borussia Dortmund in last season’s quarter finals (0-2). They are the only side to have won all their games in the competition this season (7/7).
If Real Madrid beat Schalke, it will be their 11th consecutive win in the Champions League, setting a new record in the competition and beating the previous one set by Bayern Munich (10 wins from April to November 2013).
Real Madrid have had the most shots (134), including the most on target (53) in this season’s Champions League.
Schalke have conceded 21 goals in their last seven Champions League knockout games (D1 L6). They have conceded 16 goals in seven games this season, more than any other team still left in the competition.
Schalke are winless in their last four Champions League away games against Spanish clubs (D2 L2). Their last victory dates back to October 2001 when they beat Mallorca 4-0.
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