Real Madrid vs. Schalke: Live Stream Info, Key Players and Prediction
After struggling for form in recent weeks, Real Madrid desperately need to keep their season on track with a UEFA Champions League win over Schalke, who will be looking to capitalise on Los Blancos' struggles to overturn a 2-0 deficit in their last-16 second leg.
According to Guillem Balague of Sky Sports, Carlo Ancelotti is at serious risk of being sacked following several difficult weeks for Real:
"The Real hierarchy are now seriously considering parting company with Ancelotti in the summer and I will be very surprised if he is there next season.
In fact, they were even thinking of getting rid of him last season, but Ramos’s 94th-minute equaliser in the Champions League final against Atletico changed their plans. However, if his header had gone just a centimetre another way, then Ancelotti would have been sacked. So that is still in the backs of the club’s mind.
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With this being the case, the Italian needs his side to progress in the Champions League—and in style.
Meanwhile, his opposite number and countryman Roberto Di Matteo believes Schalke can beat the odds.
According to ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld, he said, "We are expecting a difficult game. We need to have a perfect performance as a team and hope that our opponent isn't in great form. If this happens, then it is possible that we can achieve a positive result. If we can score the first goal it will definitely make things very, very interesting."
Here's where to catch the game and who to watch out for.
Date: Tuesday, March 10
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET/8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
TV: ITV 1 (UK), Fox Sports 1 (USA)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Fox Sports Go (USA)
Key Players
Gareth Bale
Bale has endured a torrid time of late.
After being booed on several occasions by the Madridistas for failing to pass to Cristiano Ronaldo (as shown in the video below), the 25-year-old has had a barren spell in front of goal.
Per WhoScored.com, the Welshman has not scored in the last eight games or assisted in the last seven.
Ancelotti admits Bale is struggling. Per BBC Sport, he said, "I don't think Bale is happy with how he is playing but he understands that he has to improve."
Bale needs to rediscover his decisive edge, which has seen him score 14 goals and provide six assists this season, according to WhoScored.com.
His dip in performance aside, Bale remains one of the best attacking players in world football, and the Champions League is the perfect stage to begin a return to form.
One facet to his game that remains intact is his lightning-fast pace, and he will be able unleash it on Tuesday night. Real's lead will force Schalke to push forward, allowing Bale the space he needs to cause havoc.
The winger is long overdue for a big performance, and with the pressure on, Bale can silence his critics.
Eric Choupo-Moting
Cameroon international Choupo-Moting is one of Schalke's biggest threats to Madrid's back line. The versatile forward has 10 goals and six assists in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com.
The 25-year-old is a strong dribbler, having beaten his man on 94 occasions this season, per Squawka, and he will create all sorts of problems for Real's defence when he charges forward.
Though he, like Bale, has struggled to make a decisive impact in recent weeks, Choupo-Moting put in a man-of-the-match-winning performance against Hoffenheim at the weekend, grabbing two assists.
As the graphic courtesy of Squawka demonstrates, the attacker made his presence felt all over the pitch with an all-action display.
His hard work will be invaluable as Schalke look to win possession, and the confidence generated by his performance will have a profound effect on the team's overall performance.
Ultimately, though, Real have more than enough to defend a 2-0 deficit, and with their attacking trio all desperate to rediscover their form, a win for Los Blancos is the likely outcome.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Schalke
