Schalke - Real Madrid player was condemned to hard won victory on German soil . The curse that is now trying to be abolished by Carlo Ancelotti when they travel to Schalke , Stadium Veltins - Arena , Gelsenkirchen in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday 26 February 2014.

Los Blancos arrived with very high confidence . They succeeded in packing 20 goals in the group stage , and only conceded five goals . They are also unbeaten from 26 matches in all competitions since last October . The fall of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the domestic league last weekend , making Madrid now in the La Liga standings .

With that capital , Carlo Ancelotti wants to try to erase bad records in Germany . Record Los Merengues in the Bavarian country is alarming . Of the 25 times they travel there , they only ever won once , six draws and 18 defeats , including the 1-4 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final last year .

Madrid attacker , Gareth Bale voicing optimism to conquer the German team in the game this time . " We know the Champions League is a great competition that was held by the best team , but I think we are well-prepared , and hope to win there . " Gareth Bale said .

That makes optimism soared Bale is back Cristiano Ronaldo presence . The Portuguese winger had missed three games because of a red card . " Cristiano has been a great help to me over the years. I also have a lot to learn from him , and I hope we can work well together on the field later on , " said the Wales winger .

The young midfielder Asier Illarramendi to add that this is great moment to remove the curse gloomy on German soil . " It is time we changed history . Years ago , we did lose two times in Germany , but this game is different , and I believe the result will be different , " he said at the site of Madrid .

Unfortunately , the power is slightly reduced by the absence of Madrid Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao are still injured after match against Elche . Alvaro Arbeloa will likely be shifted to fill the left back position . Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos also expected at 100 % after being rested , and suspend the week yesterday .

Schalke host had prepared as best possible welcome the arrival of Madrid . Unfortunately , the last game they did not go according to plan where The Royal Blue Meinz 0-0 draw last weekend . The draw tarnish four consecutive wins achieved previously .

The good news is , the mainstay midfielder was targeted by Arsenal , Julian Draxler has returned after two months out of the way because of injury . The 20 -year -old midfielder admitted very excited to fight Madrid .

" The dream of every young player is playing against a great team like Madrid . Now that dream will come true . I would like to take this opportunity to create a new history for Schalke to beat Madrid , " he said .

One of Schalke players who are expected to be very busy goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann . The keeper realized , the net will be a lot of attack, but he was ready to face it . "We are so underdogs , but we will utilize it in order to appear without a load . Compact we have to survive , and stealing attack counterattack chances , " he said .

Schalke coach Jens Keller , insists his team a chance to make a small miracle in the Veltins - Arena , and will not be intimidated by the sheen of the players of Madrid . " We compete not just want to exchange costumes with Madrid players after the game . We want to beat them to make a small miracle in this stadium , " he said .