Schalke 04 will try to get a positive result in the home leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against defending champions Real Madrid. While the Germans can't advance today, they can certainly find themselves all but eliminated if they fail to keep Madrid's dangerous attack under control.
Lucas Silva makes full Real Madrid debut against Schalke 04
The 22-year-old midfielder has been handed his first start in a key Champions League match.
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Kevin-Prince Boateng gets a start over 19-year-old rising star Maximilian Meyer, but given Roberto Di Matteo’s willingness to rotate players this season, it’s not a huge surprise. Timon Wellenreuther, Schalke’s 19-year-old “B” team goalkeeper, starts due to an injury to first choice keeper Ralf Fährmann.
The only real surprise for Madrid, if you want to call it that, is Lucas Silva getting a start in the midfield. It's Silva's first start since joining the team in January, and just his second appearance. He made his debut in their win over Depor on Saturday, but given how poorly Asier Illarramendi played, it's not a huge shock that Silva gets a chance.
With Sergio Ramos injured, Raphaël Varane gets the start in the central defense alongside Pepe.
Schalke 04 (3-5-2): Timon Wellenreuther; Benedikt Höwedes, Joël Matip, Matija Nastasić; Atsuto Uchida, Roman Neustädter, Marco Höger, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Dennis Aogo; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Klass-Jan Huntelaar
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Iker Casillas; Dani Carvajal, Raphaël Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Lucas Silva, Toni Kroos, Isco; Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale
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