The Stars Align: Neustädter and Bale

"I think it is something special for everybody to play against Madrid. That is what you dream of when you are a young boy. Now we have the chance and we are all happy about it," said FC Schalke 04 midfielder Roman Neustädter when he spoke to UEFA.com about his side's upcoming UEFA Champions League round of 16 meeting with Real Madrid CF.

Madrid's world-record signing Gareth Bale highlighted the rich form of the Merengues going into the two-legged tie, but acknowledged they must improve further if Schalke are to be defeated. "We are the biggest club in the world and everybody expects us to win every game. I think we've performed very well, I think obviously we can still get better, and that's the plan," said the Welshman, who is targeting the big prize. "We will just take one game at a time and hopefully we can win the Champions League."

Click the photo above to see more from Neustädter and Bale.