The Italian’s front three have come under-fire following a poor run of form, while the Croatia star makes his long awaited comeback from injury
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has kept faith with his struggling front line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale for the Champions League last-16 clash with Schalke.
The attacking trio have been criticised following Madrid’s faltering performances in recent weeks, which saw the club draw with Villarreal and then lose to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday.
Those results have allowed Barcelona to leapfrog them at the top of the Primera Division but Ancelotti has refused to drop any of his attacking stars as Madrid look to finish off their European tie.
The Champions League holders won the first leg 2-0 in Germany courtesy of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo and will be boosted by the return of Luka Modric on Tuesday night.
The Croatia star has been named in Ancelotti’s 18-man squad for the first time since he suffered a serious thigh injury on international duty on February 17.
Real Madrid XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe Coentrao; Kroos, Khedira, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
Schalke XI: Wellenreuther; Barnetta, Höwedes, Matip, Nastasic, Fuchs; Neustadter, Höger, Meyer; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar