Holtby hoping for Real match-up

Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby insists his side do not fear any opponent in the Champions League and dream of taking on Real Madrid.

The Gelsenkirchen side finished first in Group B with 12 points from six games, whereas Real had to settle for second spot in Group D behind Borussia Dortmund.

And the Germany international is relishing the prospect of a potential visit to Madrid.

“We know it’s going to be difficult, but why not, at 22 years old, play at Santiago Bernabeu? That would be a dream,” Holtby told the official UEFA website.

“I don’t really care who we play now, though. It’s the Champions League. If you want to win it, you have to beat everybody.

“I’ll just sit back when the draw comes up, happy to be there in the last 16.”

Real have been knocked out before the quarter-final stage in six of the last eight seasons, though the two most recent campaigns have seen them reach the semi-finals under Jose Mourinho.

Schalke resume Bundesliga action on Saturday when they travel to Stuttgart.