Gareth Bale has claimed that an improving Real Madrid team can be confident of achieving success in the Champions League this season.

The Welsh winger scored twice on Wednesday as Madrid thrashed Schalke 04 6-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie against the German side.

Bale believes that Carlo Ancelotti's side are showing clear signs of progressing this season and that Madrid can hold off challenges from the other top teams in Europe.

"It was a great performance," Bale told Sky Sports News. "We were fully prepared and ready for this match. It is a great result.

"It is a team game and we work very hard for each other on the pitch. I think this is a key for this team to have improved this year.

"We are in it to win it. We want to win every competition we play. We know it is not going to be easy, because there are many great teams fighting for it. But we will give it a try."

Madrid are now firm favourites to progress ahead of the second leg on March 18.