Schalke vs Real Madrid preview - Ronaldo backed to end goal drought
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2015 by PA
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Schalke offers Cristiano Ronaldo a great chance to end his mini goal drought.
Ronaldo has scored 36 goals in 33 competitive games this season but has not found the back of the net since notching twice against Getafe almost exactly a month ago.
The world footballer of the year has had to serve a two-match suspension during that time, but since returning he has drawn blanks in the 4-0 derby defeat to Atletico and Saturday's 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Madrid failed to find top form in either of those matches, but Ancelotti expects them to do better against Schalke and is also backing Ronaldo to rediscover his goalscoring touch against a side Real thrashed 9-2 on aggregate at the same stage last season en route to lifting the trophy.
Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference: "Cristiano had a good game physically against Depor. I think he's improving. He's not got goals but tomorrow I think he has a good opportunity to do it."
The Italian added: "We have to enjoy this game and this moment. We have to get back to playing well, with intensity and motivation.
"I have confidence because I think we had a good game against Deportivo, with sine difficulties, and I think it's going to be better tomorrow.
"We are the champions of Europe and we're going to do everything to win it again."
Ancelotti confirmed defender Pepe will play after injury but James Rodriguez, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Sami Khedira and Fabio Coentrao are missing again.
Schalke will be desperate to avenge last season's drubbing at the hands of Madrid, especially the first leg mauling the Spanish giants handed out at the Arena AufSchalke as Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale all grabbed braces in a 6-1 win.
Working on those defensive deficiencies was the priority Roberto Di Matteo set himself when he replaced Jens Keller as coach of the Royal Blues last October, and whether he has succeeded or not will be seen this Wednesday.
"It's going to be a test to see how far we've come over the last weeks and months," Di Matteo told a press conference.
More than that, though, Di Matteo wants to see his strikers start scoring more too, insisting he is not considering just parking the bus and attempting to stifle Madrid's attacking force - a tactic which he employed to perfection against Barcelona and Bayern Munich to lead Chelsea to the European title in 2012.
"We're playing the holders, but our goal is still to come away with a win," he said. "We want to exploit the few weaknesses in Real's game."
For that undertaking, Di Matteo can welcome back into his side striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The Holland international has missed the last three Bundesliga games through suspension, but he is ready to face his former club.
"I don't think being on the sidelines is a disadvantage," said Huntelaar. "I'm looking forward to the game.
"We threw the game away at home last year and we have to do things better this time. I can't wait to play - I'm finally allowed to play again."
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