Schalke vs. Real Madrid First Leg: Game Preview, Prediction
By Douglas Smith
@DFresh39
Getty Images
When the draw finished for the Champions League Round of 16 the match between Schalke and Real Madrid seemed like a forgone conclusion. Real Madrid were in the midst of a long winning streak and Schalke had yet to find their form.
Schalke have now earned seven points out of the last four matches and moved to fourth in the Bundesliga. Real Madrid have gone through a tough stretch in La Liga, and Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored in five consecutive games. Perhaps this draw is more evenly matched than originally thought.
Schalke have won only two of their last 15 matches against Spanish opponents. They did not clinch their place in the knockout rounds until the last match of the group stage. Since then new coach Robert Di Matteo has turned the team around defensively by stressing organization and stability. Schalke have only allowed two goals in the last four matches in domestic play. On matchday 20, Borussia Mönchengladbach had over 70 percent of possession, but they failed to record their first shot on target until the 65th minute.
For Real Madrid, the change of focus might be good. They have won seven of their last nine away games in this competition and are on a nine-match winning streak. They will return to Gelsenkirchen after becoming the first away team to score six goals in the knockout rounds last year.
Madrid have lost three times since the new year and are hampered by injuries. James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Sami Khedira are out. Still Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are healthy, and they get to go against Schalke’s third-string, 19-year old goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. Wellenreuther was promoted from youth side Schalke II, which has given up 30 goals this season. That is fifth worst in the 18-team Regionalliga West, a fourth-division league in German soccer. Schalke’s five-man midfield, which should include the returning Sidney Sam, will have to shield the keeper well along with the back three.
Expect Schalke to sit back defensively and absorb the pressure from Real Madrid. They will look to break on a counter attack and also take their chances if they get any set pieces. Schalke will also try to be physical with Real Madrid and hope to escape with a clean sheet. This match will be completely different from Madrid’s 6-1 victory last season. However, the Champions League holders should find a breakthrough.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
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