Bale hasn't got a preference ahead of the Champions League draw

Bale hasn't got a preference ahead of the Champions League draw

Published Mar. 19, 2014 8:28 a.m. ET

Gareth Bale does not have a preference who Real Madrid will play in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals ahead of Friday's draw.

Real eased into the last eight on Tuesday night after a 3-1 home win over Schalke completed a 9-2 aggregate thrashing of the Bundesliga side.

Record signing Bale came off the bench early on to set up all three goals and he is looking forward to finding out who Real will face in the quarter-finals next month.

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"I think every team in the quarter-finals are very good teams, very strong teams, the same as ourselves," Bale told Sky Sports.

"I'm not sure there's an actual favourite to have. We'll be looking at the draw and looking forward to it."

Carlo Ancelotti's side next face Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday and the result could play a decisive role in the destination of La Liga.

Real currently lead reigning champions Barcelona by four points and Wales international Bale is targeting a positive performance at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He added: "I think confidence is obviously a massive thing. The team is playing well and everything is coming together nicely for the whole team.

"We just need to keep performing very well, keep working hard and hopefully the rewards are there at the end.

"Now we have to prepare really well for the next match against Barcelona.

"Barcelona is a direct rival and we are going to try and put in a good performance and take the three points. They have very good players, but we are focused on our game and on our team because we also have very good players."

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