FT: Schalke 0-2 Real Madrid

1. Marcelo second puts Real in control of tie
2. Ronaldo heads in from Carvajal cross
3. Ronaldo's first goal in four matches
4. Schalke managed by ex-Chelsea boss Di Matteo

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OK, that's all from our coverage but I'll be back tomorrow for the return of the Europa League. Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool and Celtic all in action.

See you then.

BBC Radio 5 live

Less than half an hour remains of the brilliant Wednesday Night Club, in the company of Mark Chapman, Bolton boss Neil Lennon, Burnley defender Steven Reid and Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft.

They're currently discussing the future of QPR's temporary manager Chris Ramsey. You can join in by texting 85058 (UK only) or on social media.

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard, speaking on Sky Sports: "With the Champions League you have to be aware of the strength of teams like Barcelona. We will be aware of that but we want to use our strengths. We have to use the home advantage, and we know we have an abundance of attacking talent in the team. We will look to attack.

"They will certainly respect us. When you get to this level there is respect, but not fear. It is the Champions League, it is focus and bits of luck. It is all to come."

BBC

BBC

It has been a pretty good first two days of Champions League knockout action, and next week is looking pretty tasty too. Manchester City and Arsenal are in action - against Barcelona and Monaco respectively.

Manager reaction

European photopress agency

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reveals he celebrated Marcelo's second goal on the pitch because he is not used to seeing the Brazilian score with his right foot.

One the performance he says: "It was good. I think we started well with a good attitude Then after the first goal the game was easier. We didn't need to push. We controlled the game well. In the end the victory is good for us."

On Gareth Bale's display: "I think the performance of Gareth was good because he helped the team. He came back a lot of times. He is in good condition now and tried to do something in attack but the pitch was not too good. The performance in whole was very good."

Is there less pressure as you won 'La Decima' last season?: "The pressure is the same. last year 'Decima', this year 'Undecima', so the pressure is the same."

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Conor Matchett: Clattenburg was appallingly inconsistent tonight. Basel were poor with the ball and Porto? Totally uninventive.

Robin Smit: Many fans out there think they know everything about the game, but when it comes to being a referee they know nothing.

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Mark Clattenburg was not afraid to get involved today, giving out more yellow cards than any other referee in this season's Champions League.

Bradford can do little wrong at the moment and continued their impressive run with a 2-0 win at Leyton Orient which lifted them to within a point of the League One play-off places.

James Hanson got both goals in the first half to leave the O's in relegation trouble.

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Patrick Bamford scored a second-half equaliser as Middlesbrough survived the dismissal of goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos to earn a 1-1 draw and go to the top of the Championship.

Konstantopoulos was sent off for bringing down Birmingham striker Clayton Donaldson in the 43rd minute. Paul Caddis drove home the spot-kick to give the Blues a deserved lead.

Boro hit back after half-time and equalised after 74 minutes when Bamford stroked home his 12th of the season.

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Sanj: Schalke. Basically the German Arsenal. Happy to finish second in their group and qualify for the knockout rounds just to make the numbers.

FantasySportsWizard: Basel have outplayed United, Liverpool and so on in recent years. There's no way they would they be battling relegation. They're a very underestimated side.

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How did Ronaldo do?

Opta

So how good was Cristiano Ronaldo?

He had 57 touches, only Karim Benzema had fewer of the 10 outfield players who started the game, but he scored one goal and assisted the other.

Can't argue with that.

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Nikhil: Except for that goal, Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen. His passing was awful.

Az Clay: Schalke have themselves to blame. Real Madrid got two away goals, and this tie looks over at half time.

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Andy West

European football writer

"Pepe return made big difference for Madrid. He's been excellent ever since Mourinho left and he concentrated on playing instead of fighting."

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Can anyone stop the holders in this season's Champions League?

FULL-TIME

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And it is all over at Basel, where it ends all square.

FULL-TIME

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Kevin-Prince Boateng sends a ball into the box but it is too heavy and goes out of play, signalling the final action of the game. Job done for Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the goal trail.

Four added minutes at Basel, will there be any late drama?

Three minutes of added time and a few Schalke fans are heading for the exit. There are plenty still chanting and cheering, pretty appreciative with the overall efforts of their players.

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Ross in Glasgow: Schalke are toothless in big games. But they're a quality side when they play their own game, and they get an average attendance of 65,000. Re 74mins, I doubt they would struggle in the Premier League...

Adam Khan: Re 74mins, I doubt they would be battling relegation considering Basel finished above Liverpool in the group!

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Basel are pushing forward in search of a second with Porto seemingly happy to soak up the pressure. They've got the potentially crucial away goal so probably job done as far as they are concerned.

Schalke look set on damage limitation now with eight players back defending as Real Madrid pass the ball around near the centre-circle. Doesn't look like we will have any late drama.

SUBSTITUTION

The introduction of Asier Illarramendi completes a flurry of Real Madrid substitutions as he comes on for Isco for the final few minutes.

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Shohidur Rahman: Marcelo with his "weaker foot". Stunning.

Ruaridh Williams: The criticism of the refereeing tonight is outrageous. How many of those have refereed professionally before? No clue.

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Football League latest

Despite being down to 10 men, Middlesbrough have equalised at Birmingham through Patrick Bamford. The on-loan Chelsea striker's 12th goal of the season will take his side to the top of the Championship if it stay this way.

SUBSTITUTION

Carlo Ancelotti makes his second change of the game as Alvaro Arbeloa jogs on to the pitch with Dani Carvajal, who took a knock to his knee earlier in the half, making way.

GOAL

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Porto finally get the breakthrough as Danilo despatches the penalty into the bottom right corner after Walter Samuel had handled inside the area.

PENALTY TO PORTO

GOAL

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Brilliant stuff from Marcelo to grab Real Madrid a welcome second. Cristiano Ronaldo's persistence creates the chance as he skips past a couple of defenders, passes to Marcelo, who looks up and rifles in an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area.

SUBSTITUTION

Gareth Bale leads the familiar site of a BBC attack - Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in support, but the latter is in an offside position when Bale tries to send him through.

That's Benzema's final contribution as Javier Hernandez replaces the forward.

Carlo Ancelotti is clearly concerned by that chance for Schalke, he has Javier Hernandez warming up. This could be an interesting final 15 minutes.

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Said Madrid: The pitch at the Veltins-Arena is awful, but Atkinson's refereeing is even worse.

Jack Thaler: Tonight's action just goes to show how fantastic the English Premier League is. If they played in the England then Schalke, Basel, and Porto would all be battling relegation. Burnley would wipe the floor with them.

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HITS THE WOODWORK

AP

Suddenly the home crowd come to life as Schalke rattle the woodwork! Substitute Felix Platte's fierce drive bounces back off the bar and Atsuto Uchida can't get enough power behind his shot on the rebound as Iker Casillas holds. A let-off for Real.

Schalke give away a free kick just outside the D and this is very much Cristiano Ronaldo territory. Deep breath and the Portuguese strikes it, but smacks the head of an unfortunate Schalke defender.

Nice from Gareth Bale. He receives a pass from Isco with his back to goal and a defender in close attention, flicks the ball between the legs of the Schalke player and Isco runs onto it, but drives his effort just over.

Porto are pushing for that equaliser and Jackson Martinez finally has his first sight of goal after a very quiet game so far, attempting a lob that lands on the roof of the net.

Chance for Schalke! Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting feeds a pass to Marco Hoger inside the area, he then waltzes between Marcelo and Lucas Silva but strikes the sidenetting with his shot from a tight angle.

YELLOW CARD

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Substitute Jan Kirchhoff is booked by Martin Atkinson for a foul on Dani Carvajal and a break in play ensues as Carvajal receives treatment. Things are going much better than last year for Schalke. They were 4-0 down at this point.

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Kevin-Prince Boateng senses glory, having a pop from way out but he is leaning back all the time and sends his effort way, way over. Schalke fans punch the air in disapproval.

Disallowed goal controversy

Memories of Wayne Rooney versus Preston when that Porto goal was disallowed. Two Porto players were in close proximity to the goalkeeper and stood in an offside position, which is why the goal was ruled out. Looks like it may have been the correct call.

SUBSTITUTION

Gareth Bale runs along the edge of the area and tries to clip the ball in for Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is well offside. Schalke make a change as midfielder Roman Neustadter goes off to be replaced by Jan Kirchhoff. Like for like.

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Bessieboo: Re 48mins, Clattenburg is awful.

Daniel Woodley: Well done Mark Clattenburg and his fellow assistants. Fantastic officiating at a time when they have been in the spotlight.

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You just sense that Real are upping the tempo as Isco outsmarts the Schalke defence with a clever pass, putting Cristiano Ronaldo clear on the left side of the area, he unselfishly tries to cut the ball back for Karim Benzema, but Schalke clear for a corner.

DISALLOWED GOAL

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What's going on here? Casemiro looked to have equalised for Porto, his poked effort going through a crowd of players and he wheels off to celebrate. A minute or two passes and Mark Clattenburg disallows it after speaking with one of his assistants. It seems there was a foul on the Basel keeper.

Real Madrid are quick on the attack as Karim Benzema picks up the ball just inside the Schalke half, runs towards goal as defenders back off before attempting to play a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese forward's return pass is cleared.

KICK-OFF

Schalke versus Real Madrid is back under way, Basel's game against Porto not too far behind.

Opta

Real Madrid dominated possession in the first-half, but Schalke won't feel too disheartened with their own performance.

They were arguably the better side until Cristiano Ronaldo scored. Losing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a blow, though, he had their only shot on target.

It's half time in both tonight's games with Birmingham leading Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship thanks to a Paul Caddis penalty with Boro, who would go top with a point, down to 10 men.

James Hanson's double has given play-off chasing Bradford a 2-0 lead at struggling Leyton Orient in League One.

EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo's strike not only ended a wait of four hours and 59 minutes for a goal, but also means he has scored 58 goals in 58 Champions League games. What a record.

Football League latest

Middlesbrough could go top of the Championship but it's not going according to plan as they trail 1-0 at St Andrew's and are also down to 10 men.

Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos was sent off for bringing down Clayton Donaldson and Paul Caddis slots home the spot kick to put the Blues in front in the final minute of the first half.

HALF-TIME

Also half-time in Basel, with the Swiss side ahead but they have had plenty of defending to do. Walter Samuel has dealt with Porto's dangerous striker Jackson Martinez, but the away side have certainly had chances to equalise.

HALF-TIME

EPA

Advantage Real at the break but Schalke are by no means out of this. I'd be surprised if we see another 6-1 win for Real here anyway.

YELLOW CARD

Roman Neustadter tugs on Karim Benzema's shirt and Martin Atkinson brings out the yellow card. Cristiano Ronaldo takes the free-kick but it is too far out and bounces wide of goal.

Safety first for Joel Matip as he thumps a cross behind for a Real corner. Dennis Aogo heads that clear but Karim Benzema keeps Real on the attack as he sends a shot from distance over. Two minutes of added time.

This game has opened up a bit now, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting very lively for Schalke. He is everywhere and wriggles past Dani Carvajal on the left wing, races inside but Toni Kroos is across to steal the ball and send Real on another attack.

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Stephen Oluwafemi: Cristiano is back! Messi, catch him if you can!

Peter Collins: Well done Ronaldo! I wish we'd stop questioning him to be honest. But what is with that kit?

Charles Fairweather: Gained a bit of respect for Clattenburg. All players who ask for a card should receive one themselves.

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Almost immediately Real are up the other end of the pitch as a ball over the defence finds Cristiano Ronaldo just inside the area. Timon Wellenereuther is quickly off his line and although he can't clear, he does just enough to put Ronaldo off his stride and he can't keep the loose ball in play. Good stuff from the 19-year-old keeper.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who I am hoping is not too heavily involved for typing reasons, gets behind the defence as Schalke get forward for the first time in a while, but his effort is blocked.

Football League latest

Bradford have doubled their money and again it's big striker James Hanson on target. The O's look like they will be staying in the League One relegation places.

Frustrations are bubbling over a bit now for Schalke as Kevin-Prince Boateng gives away a needless free-kick some 35 yards from goal. He earns himself a yellow card and Real have a good chance for a second.

Cristiano Ronaldo stands over it with his customary stance before letting fly with a powerful effort that is over the wall but batted away by Timon Wellenreuther.

SUBSTITUTION

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It started so well for Schalke but they've effectively been dealt a double blow in the last few minutes, first conceding and now striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has to go off because of an injury. Felix Platte replaces him.

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John Charles: Great header, unmarked. He's nearly as good as he thinks he is.

Max Seitler: And Ronaldo's goal drought is over!

Karen Lynch: Real's worries didn't last long, did they?

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CLOSE!

Another chance for Real as Karim Benzema is played onside by Atsuto Uchida, he shoots low and the ball squirms through the legs of Timon Wellenreuther, but the pace is taken out of the effort and the Schalke keeper is able to claim the loose ball.

Football League latest

Bradford's fine run is continuing with James Hanson putting the Bantams in front after 21 minutes, firing into the roof of the net to claim his 10th goal of the season.

A win for Bradford would put them within one point of the League One play-off places.

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Reuters

Hull winger Ahmed Elmohamady: Yes, CR7!

Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle: He's back! Ronaldo!

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Basel still lead by that Derlis Gonzalez goal but the goalscorer has since gone off with a possible head injury. Davide Calla has replaced him.

GOAL

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Bad form? What bad form. One chance, one goal for Cristiano Ronaldo. Dani Carvajal curls a ball behind the Schalke defence and Ronaldo peels away to head in the opener.

The (three-game) drought is over...

CLOSE!

Schalke go a little closer as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has go from distance, the former Real Madrid man shoots low and hard and forces Iker Casillas into a diving save.

Arsenal and Germany winger Mesut Ozil tweets: Watching my two former clubs, Schalke and Real!

MesutOzil1088

Wherever he's watching the game, Mesut seems to keep his widescreen TV in a padded room...

The contrast of luminous yellow boots and bright pink kit is about the only impression Cristiano Ronaldo has made so far in this game. Very quiet start from the Portuguese forward but, in fairness he has not had the service.

First real chance of the game and it goes the way of Schalke as Dennis Aogo is left unmarked on the edge of the area and is picked out by Marco Hoger, he attempts a first-time shot but sends it high and wide.

A quarter-of-an hour gone and Schalke are doing well. They've soaked up a bit pressure and got forward on occasion too. By this stage in the same fixture last year, they were a goal down. So far, so good for the German side.

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Daniel Woodley: Shout out to our refs tonight. Martin Atkinson and Mark Clattenburg in charge of both games. Hope for good performances...

Femi John Atoyebi: Re Kroos' booking, Mr Martin Atkinson! Here we go with English referees. Overreaction.

Eyobel Gomini: Atkinson showing once again how bad he is. He should have given both yellows, or nothing at all.

A dozen English officials in action tonight. The first really contentious decision in either game.

Schalke have spent much of the opening stages defending, but they have an opportunity to have a crack at goal when Lucas Silva fouls Marco Hoger, 25 yards from goal. Dennis Aogo takes the free-kick, but slams it into the wall.

Reuters

First booking of the game as Toni Kroos, back on German soil for the first time since joining Real from Bayern, is shown a yellow for a rough challenge on Benedikt Howedes.

GOAL

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Advantage Basel and it is a goal out of nowhere. Fabian Frei creates it, feeding the ball into the path of Derlis Gonzalez, who flicks out a foot to squeeze a shot beyond Fabiano in the Porto goal.

Yo, it's Attilio!

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Attilio Lombardo spied on the Schalke touchline. The former Crystal Palace player-manager is now assistant to Roberto Di Matteo in Germany.

He'll be pleased with what he has seen from his side so far. Real have all the possession in the early stages, but are yet to really test the Schalke defence.

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Andy Geoghegan: Unbelievable atmosphere at Schalke. Could hardly hear the Champions League music. Come on Ronaldo! He's simply class.

James Butler: Schalke with plenty to prove - the atmosphere will be huge.

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It is a cagey start in Switzerland - a similar theme in all these Champions League last-16 first leg games so far. Teams seemingly decide it is not worth the risk being too adventurous.

Bradford City FA Cup hero Jon Stead gets a rest as the Bantams get back to League One business at Leyton Orient.

Stead, who has scored in every round of the Cup, isn't risked because of a cut foot he sustained in last Sunday's 2-0 fifth-round win over Sunderland.

Schalke's priority is clear - keeping this tie alive going into the second leg. They have five back in defence and Real Madrid soon see that long balls are going to be pretty futile as Marcelo pumps a ball forward for Gareth Bale, but Matija Nastasic is on it in a flash to clear.

KICK-OFF

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Off we go! Under way in both Champions Leagues last-16 first-leg matches.

Great atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen as the stirring Champions League anthem belts out. The two sets of players shake hands and we are moments from kick-off. Can Schalke keep Real at bay?

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Right then, five minutes until kick-off in both of tonight's games. Can they make it 10 wins on the bounce in the Champions League?

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Jason: Tells you the standards he is setting, he's been quite unfortunate not to score, I'm sure he will change that tonight.

Stephan Mostert: Three games is a disaster for him but still incredible for anyone else! Form is temporary, class is permanent!

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Friends reunited?

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How's this for awkward?

After last night's Champions League game between Paris St-Germain and Chelsea, Roy Keane, who was part of ITV's coverage team for the game, and Sir Alex Ferguson - at Parc des Princes as a spectator - both ended up on the same flight home.

According to the Guardian, the pair blanked each other as Keane sat impassively by the window while Ferguson sat three rows back on the other side of the plane. It is the first time the two have bumped into each other since Keane's autobiography release, with both having used their books to have a pop at each other.

How I'd love to have seen them both waiting awkwardly at the baggage carousel, trying not to catch the other's eye....

English influence

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No English team in action tonight, but check out this stat - two Champions League matches, 12 English officials!

FC Schalke 04 v Real Madrid

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Child (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 1: Andre Marriner (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 2: Craig Pawson (Eng), Fourth Official: Darren Jon England (Eng)

FC Basel v FC Porto

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Simon Beck (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Burt (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Taylor (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Friend (Eng), Fourth Official: Gary Beswick (Eng)

Golden ball

ChampionsLeague

For those of you who love Uefa introducing a new, super-improved football, here's the Berlin-themed official match ball - to be used for the first time in tonight's Champions League.

Bale not bothered by the boos

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Cristiano Ronaldo's recent form has not made him the target of boos, but Gareth Bale has had to endure plenty of criticism from some sections of the Real Madrid fans this season.

After Real were hammered 4-0 by Atletico Madrid earlier this month, headlines screaming 'Disaster'. 'Irrelevant'. 'Listless' dominated Spanish newspapers when describing Bale's performance.

Speaking in an advert recently about criticism, Bale says he does not let it bother him: "You hear some of the things being said but you are purely concentrated on the game and focused on doing what you are doing."

Who is Lucas Silva?

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His acquisition cost Real Madrid a reported £9.7m and Lucas Silva arrived at Real Madrid a winner in January.

The 22-year-old has already won the Brazilian league twice with Cruzeiro and was an ever present on their run to the title in 2014.

He is more of an anchor man than a Galactico who will set new goalscoring records but with a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Bernabeu, plenty of opportunity to add to his trophy collection awaits.

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Daniel Woodley: Been looking forward to these games all day! Basle v Porto is an intriguing match-up, and Real Madrid have a point to prove!

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Teenage keeper's Real test

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Crikey, if making your Champions League debut as a 19-year-old isn't intimidating enough, how about doing it when you have to face Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Timon Wellenreuther, 19, is doing just that as the teenager starts in the Schalke goal.

Spanish media's concern

AS

The Spanish media is starting to show their concern about Cristiano Ronaldo's form. AS states on its cover 'The Time of Champions' with a sub heading of: "Time for Cristiano to score. Three games since he last scored."

Marca

Marca also suggests that it is time for Cristiano Ronaldo to show his phenomenal ability once again, with the headline: "Time to get out the tunnel".

Going underground

ChampionsLeague

This will be the view that greets the Schalke and Real Madrid players when they walk out onto Veltins-Arena turf in just under 40 minutes. Seemingly hewn from rock.

Better than those fold-out canvas job, isn't it?

Middlesbrough's FA Cup run was ended by Arsenal last weekend so it's back to the number-one target for Aitor Karanka's side tonight.

Boro, who have won their last five league games, are chasing promotion to the Premier League and a point at mid-table Birmingham will take them top of the Championship.

Giant-killing Bradford are still going great guns in the Cup after reaching the last eight and promotion is also on the agenda for Phil Parkinson's Yorkshiremen. They are aiming for the League One play-offs and a win at Leyton Orient would put them within a point of the top six. However, the O's know a victory would lift them out of the drop zone.

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John McEnerney: Tonight might be the night for Real Madrid, and Ronaldo to get his groove back. Ronnie has to play - he's a goal machine! An away win for Real.

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Team news

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With centre-back Fabian Schar suspended, Basel coach Paulo Sousa brings in veteran Argentine hardman Walter Samuel. Fabian Frei - who scored the goal at Anfield in December that effectively knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League - replaces Mathias Delgado in midfield, while Derlis Gonzalez comes in for Davide Calla on the wing.

Just one change for Porto from the side who beat Vitoria de Guimaeres in the league on Friday night; on-loan Barcelona forward Cristiano Tello replaces Ricardo Quaresma, who drops to the bench. Watch out for Jackson Martinez, who has scored 12 goals in his last 13 games.

Basel XI: Vaclik; Xhaka, Suchy, Samuel, Safari; Elneny, Frei, Zuffi; Gonzalez, Gashi; Streller.

Porto XI: Fabiano; Danilo, Maicon, Marcano, Alex Sandro; Herrera, Casemiro, Oliver; Tello, Martinez, Brahimi.

Could be wurst...

It's an alright spread tonight for Europe's football reporters in Gelsenkirchen, judging by this snap of meat, currywurst, spuds and carrots posted by Uefa reporter Andy James:

UEFAcomAndyJ

Defence key for Di Matteo

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Before Jose Mourinho, there was Roberto Di Matteo.

Mourinho may be far more successful at "parking the bus" than the Chelsea team bus driver was last night, but another former Blues boss also has a penchant for packing the defence when needed.

Current Schalke boss Di Matteo packed the Chelsea defence to get a draw at Barcelona in the Champions League back in 2012 and secure a 3-2 aggregate win, before overseeing another impressive defensive display against Bayern Munich in the final to win on penalties.

He is once again using that tactic again Real Madrid, spreading five across the back to stifle Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

It could be a frustrating 90 minutes ahead for the visitors...

Team news

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Real Madrid hand a Champions League debut to midfielder Lucas Silva following his move from Cruzeiro in January.

The 22-year-old has only played once from the bench in La Liga since moving to Spain. Dani Carvajal comes in at right-back for Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe returns at central defence in place on Nacho.

Manchester City loanee Matija Nastasic plays in the competition for the first time in a Schalke shirt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar faces his old club.

Schalke XI: Wellenreuther; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Aogo; Neustadter; Hoger, Boateng; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar.

Real Madrid XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Lucas Silva, Isco, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.

Coming up on 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live

If you have just got in from a day at work then stick BBC Radio 5 live on at 19:00 GMT, as Mark Chapman presents the day's sports news and interviews.

Then from 21:00 GMT it's the Wednesday Night Club in the company of Chappers, Bolton boss Neil Lennon and reporter Jonathan Norcroft.

Contact 5 live Sport by texting 85058 (UK only) or on social media.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Simple question tonight then, should Real Madrid be worried about Cristiano Ronaldo's form, or is this just a blip? Can he rediscover his goalscoring touch tonight?

With Real's results also suffering in 2015, is an out-of-form Ronaldo a liability to the Spanish side? Or should he always play when available?

Let us know via #bbcfootball, text in on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

Gareth Bale/Twitter

BreakingBREAKING TEAM NEWS

No surprise to see Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all start. Pepe returns after a month out with a rib injury while Lucas Silva makes his full debut.

Real Madrid XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Lucas Silva, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.

But Capello is....

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Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello is more concerned, however, and believes Cristiano Ronaldo's form is having an impact on Real's overall performances and results.

They have lost to Valencia and Atletico Madrid this year, and also exited the Copa del Rey.

"It is very important that he is not at his usual level," Capello said. "At the end of last year Madrid began the game already 1-0 ahead, because they had Cristiano. But he is an extraordinary player and we will return to 100 percent very soon."

Ancelotti unconcerned about Ronaldo's form...

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned about Cristiano Ronaldo's mini goal drought.

The world footballer of the year's last goal was one month ago, when he scored twice against Getafe. Since then, he has drawn blanks in La Liga games against Cordoba, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo.

Ronaldo has been struggling with a knee problem, but Ancelotti is confident he will be soon back to his best: "I think he's improving. He's not got goals but I think he has a good opportunity to do it against Schalke."

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Also in Champions League action tonight are Porto, with the two-time competition winners travelling to Switzerland to play Basel.

Porto went through the entire group stage without a defeat, and in fact have lost just one of their 14 European games at home and abroad - highlighting the size of the task ahead for Basel, who have never reached the Champions League quarter-finals...

So can Cristiano Ronaldo get back on the goal trail in tonight's Champions League last-16 game?

It is as good a time as any, with Real Madrid having recorded an emphatic victory against Schalke in last year's Champions League on their way to the title.

They won 6-1 in Germany at the same stage of the competition last year, with Ronaldo helping himself to two goals, before a 3-1 win in the return leg sealed a 9-2 aggregate victory.

In fact, Ronaldo was virtually unplayable in that first leg, having 10 shots on goal in total - the same number as the entire Schalke team.

Stats don't lie

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Look at that stat, just look at it. Fifty seven goals in 57 Champions League games for Real Madrid, surely a ridiculous notion to suggest he is out of form?

However, no goals in his last three games is his worst scoreless run all season. In fact, he has managed just four goals in his last 10 appearances, a big contrast to the 17 he bagged in his first 11 matches of the season. Even, Darren Bent is in better form that the current world player of the year.

Make no mistake, in terms of the incredible level that Ronaldo performs at, this is not a great spell for the Portuguese forward...

Ronaldo off the boil?

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Whether it is Arsenal and Tottenham sharing a ground or Lionel Messi turning out for Accrington Stanley, there are some things that you can be pretty certain about never happening in football.

Another, is Cristiano Ronaldo having a bad run of form.

But, and whisper it quietly, it seems poor Ronnie is going through a bit of a sticky patch.

Can he rediscover his goalscoring touch against Schalke in the Champions League tonight?