‘Madrid and Bayern best in the world’

Schalke Coach Jens Keller believes Real Madrid are one of the two best teams in the world, with Bayern Munich the other.

Madrid host Schalke on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League tie and Los Blancos have a 6-1 lead from the first meeting.

Keller told his pre-match Press conference that he is treating the game as a training exercise and won’t risk any players carrying even minor injuries.

“We have a very young team, and this game represents a magnificent opportunity for my players to gain experience – it's a learning process for them,” Keller said.

“We have to give a better image than the one from the first leg – we played for the first 15 minutes of that game but not afterwards.

“It was clear that we have to be more compact and not allow our opponents to grow in confidence.

“All I ask of my players is that they enjoy this experience and learn from it. Players who have problems won't be playing,” Keller added, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Kevin-Prince Boateng possibly among them.

Keller also denied Schalke were afraid of what might happen to them after the hammering they received in Gelsenkirchen.

“Fear isn't really a suitable word to use in football,” Keller countered.

“Playing here at the Bernabeu is an advancement in their development. We will give our all and try to gain the best result possible, after that, we'll see what happens.

“Right now, Real Madrid and Bayern are the strongest sides in the world. They have individual brilliance and they're the best two sides in the world.”

Keller added that he hadn’t spoken to former Madrid and Schalke forward Raul about how to handle the League leaders.

“We haven't been in touch with Raul. We've met a few times but I don't call him for advice.

“He's an impressive individual, but I haven't asked him for advice.”

Tags Bayern Munich Jens Keller Schalke
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