Real Madrid Ancelotti's departure difficult to stomach

Kroos masters the art of the corner

Facing his former club in the Champions League quarter-final isn't a daunting task for Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, and with Carlo Ancelotti returning to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, it'll be a match-up with plenty of ties between the two superclubs.

One of the most highly anticipated clashes of the round, both are considered heavy favourites, putting extra pressure to emerge victorious as they can then become the team to beat for the remainder of the tournament.

"I'm not scared of Bayern Munich," the German said. "If you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat Bayern or Barcelona anyway.

"I've always liked big challenges in football and playing against the best."

The midfielder also discussed his current and former bosses, and how they not only shaped him into the footballer he is today, but the role they played in Real Madrid's recent success.

"Zidane transmits a very clear idea to the players," Kroos continued. "He doesn't need to give a 20 minute motivational talk, he doesn't need it.

"With his presence alone he achieves what he wants - his personality is synonymous with success.

"Ancelotti speaks a lot with his players, creates a very close-knit atmosphere and the Real Madrid dressing room was very sad when he left."