Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: 'Real Madrid are favourites'

Schalke 04 striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has admitted that his side are underdogs going into their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid.

Madrid travel to Gelsenkirchen for the first leg on Wednesday night, with Schalke looking to continue the good form that has seen them win four and draw one of their five matches in 2014 so far.

Huntelaar, who made 20 appearances for Madrid in 2009, has acknowledged that it would be a tough test for his side, but is hopeful that they can build a first-leg advantage to take to the Bernabeu.

"Madrid are favourites, but we are playing the first leg at home and we will make them work very hard," the 30-year-old told Marca.

"Our fans are really excited about this game, which will be a spectacular one. This is the first time we face Madrid and we will try everything to beat them and continue in the competition."

Schalke's recent form has seen them rise up to fourth in the Bundesliga table, closing the gap on second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to just two points.