Carlo Ancelotti hopeful over Karim Benzema

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Karim Benzema will not be fit for Tuesday's last-16 Champions League second leg against Schalke 04.

However, the Italian is hopeful that the French striker, who suffered a thigh injury in Saturday's 1-0 win over Malaga, will be fit for the clash with Barcelona at the weekend.

"He won't be able to play tomorrow but we're hopeful that he'll be back for Sunday's game," he told reporters at a press conference.

"He's a very important player for us – not just because he scores but for the way he plays. We'll see how he responds to treatment tomorrow. If he can't play on Sunday, someone else will."

Benzema has scored 21 times for Los Blancos this season.