Xabi Alonso believes Real Madrid are ready to rise to the challenge in what he believes is the most important part of the season.
Los Blancos face the Copa del Rey final, the latter stages of the Champions League and the title run in between now and May and Alonso says both he and his teammates are prepared.
“I’m over my injury now, it’s in the past,” he told a Press conference prior to Madrid’s Champions League game with Schalke.
“The team is hitting form, we're ready for this decisive stage of the season – March, April, May.
We’ll take it step by step, starting with [Wednesday’s] game which is a crucial game for us.
It’s very difficult to speculate on what will happen between now and the end of the season.
“We’re well-positioned and the overall mood is positive but as I say, that can easily change. We have a good squad, some players have come in and others have left.
“We’re confident, whilst knowing that we still have a lot of games to get through.”
Alonso is in his fifth season at Santiago Bernabeu but doesn’t want to compare this campaign with ones that have gone before.
“It’s difficult to compare this season with others but we are in a good moment and we’re still battling in three competitions,” the former Liverpool midfielder said.
“Now we’ve reached the important part of the Champions League. We're progressing and we don't want to stop.
“Our attitude is good, the team is solid but that could all change from one moment to the next.
“We’re on the right path but we have to continue working so that our current situation doesn’t radically change.”
Madrid will welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo for the game in Germany and Alonso believes the forward will not have been affected by his three-game suspension.
“As far as tomorrow’s game is concerned, he’s no different. He had a couple of days when he was a bit frustrated for what happened in Bilbao.
“I personally don’t think it’s right that he was kept waiting right up until the final day of his suspension but now he’s back with us and he’s fully focused.”
Despite backing Madrid to thrive in the latter part of the season, Alonso added that he doesn’t expect an easy game against Schalke.
“This is the first time we’ve met them but they have a fair amount of experience in the Champions League.
“They reached the quarter finals or semi-finals a couple of seasons ago I recall. We have come here with maximum respect.
“The fans here really get behind their team and Schalke will want to make the most of the atmosphere.
“It will be quite a physical game against good players who also have experience of this competition.”
Madrid are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation that has become the norm under Carlo Ancelotti in recent weeks and while Alonso admits to enjoying his new role, he doesn’t believe Madrid can only play one way.
“My role is more positional. I've dropped back and now play just in front of the back four.
“I have more responsibility and I have to cover both full-backs so that they can join the attack.
“But we are not limited to playing 4-3-3, we are quite flexible and have the players like [Asier Illarramendi], Luka [Modric] and [Angel] Di Maria, so we can change they system when necessary.”
