Shalke 04 can beat Real Madrid even though they beat 9-2, insists Howedes

Hehe, Thegoalmac can reveal that Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes insists Real Madrid are "beatable" after their Bundesliga side were paired with the holders in the Champions League last 16.

The Bundesliga side were dispatched 9-2 on aggregate by eventual winners Madrid at the same stage last season, but Howedes is determined to prove that his side have learned their lesson.

"We know how we lost badly last year. Real are one of the best teams in the world. But even these teams are beatable," he said after the draw. "We will do our best to challenge the holders."

Team-mate Joel Matip added: "Real are an awesome team. Those are two matches over 90 minutes and, in football, anything can happen. We are looking forward to it and we want to show that we learned from last year."

Striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has impressed since joining from Mainz during the summer, is particularly keen to show his qualities against one of the continent's best teams.

"Faith wanted Schalke and Real Madrid to meet again," said the Cameroon international. "Personally, I am really looking forward to it, since they are one of the best teams in the world and I did not play against them last year. I think we will do better than last year."