Keller is out to orchestrate 'minor miracle'

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Feb 25, 2014

[UCL PREVIEW: Schalke 04-Real Madrid] Five of the six home teams have lost so far in the UEFA Champions League, so Schalke 04 coach Jens Keller doesn't like his team's chances against Real Madrid on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen (live on Fox Sports 2 at 2:45 p.m. ET). A victory against the Spanish leaders would be a "small miracle" though Keller added that his team won't hide from its opponents, unbeaten in 26 games in all competitions, at the Veltins Arena.

“Behind Bayern Munich, Real Madrid is maybe the second best team in the world at this moment,” the Keller said. “They have extraordinary players in each position and that is why it will not be an easy game for us."

But he added that Schalke 04 won't be intimidated and his players weren't just going out on the field to swap shirts with Real’s stars

"We'll have to be compact at the back to achieve what might be a minor miracle of getting a result," Keller said. “But we are the home team and want to play in a brave way without hiding from Real. To be successful tomorrow everybody has to play at 100 percent. Then it might be possible to achieve a minor miracle.”

Real Madrid finished the group stage with 20 goals in six games -- the most of any team -- and finished with five wins and a draw to tie Madrid rival Atletico for the best record.



That form has Real Madrid brimming with confidence, according to Welshman Gareth Bale.

“I think we are ready," he said, "we believe we can win every game so we’ll go over there and hopefully come back with the win."