Defending European champions Real Madrid travel to Bulguria to face Ludogorets Razgrad in their second Champions League Group B fixture at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on Wednesday.
After a comprehensive 5-1 win over FC Basel in their opening Champions League fixture, Real Madrid will be confident going into this game against Ludogorets.
The Los Blancos' La Liga form also seems to be improving as they have managed to register successive victories against Deportivo (8-2), Elche (5-1) and Villarreal (2-0) in their last three fixtures.
Real Madrid will be heartened by the fact that their star forward Cristiano Ronaldo pledged his loyalty to the club despite their being rumours of him wanting to make a move back to his former side Manchester United.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti emphasised the importance of having a player like Ronaldo in the squad, claiming that the Portuguese is the best player he has ever managed.
"Yes, I can say Cristiano Ronaldo is the best payer I have ever coached and that is no disrespect to all the other great players I have worked with," he told UEFA's official website.
Considering their recent change of fortunes, Real Madrid are expected to cruise in this fixture against a relatively inexperienced Ludogorets side, but Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti says that he is not taking any team lightly.
"There are no average teams. This is the Champions League and every team wants to win every game," he added.
The former Chelsea boss says that Real Madrid will especially be wary after seeing the Bulgarian side play against Liverpool in their last fixture.
"You saw how well Ludogorets played against Liverpool and how they will give their all. The first two games are very important and it is a must for us to start with six points. Ludogorets are a very dynamic team, they are well organised," he added.
"There will be no underestimating the task at hand. They play with courage, they have speed and are dangerous on the counterattack. They press well and we know only too well what to expect."
Meanwhile, Ludogorets, who have made it to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history, will be pleased with their performance against Liverpool in their opening fixture despite eventually losing the game 2-1.
However, the Bulgarian champions will face a very difficult game against Real Madrid especially considering the defending European champions' recent good run of results.
Despite them being the underdogs in Group B, Ludogorets boss Georgi Dermendzhiev insists that his "players are motivated" and will give their level best in the group fixtures.
"Our players are motivated. There is an obvious gulf in the levels between the teams," Dermendzhiev said. I am not worried at all, though. There is nothing to lose.
"It was a bitter pillow to swallow when we lost in the last minute against Liverpool, but we scored in the last minute against Steaua [in the playoffs] and these outcomes are part of football."
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
Ludogorets: Stoyanov; Caiçara, A Aleksandrov, Moți, Minev; S Dyakov, Anicet; M Aleksandrov, Marcelinho, Abalo; Bezjak.
Where to Watch Live
The game is set for a 7.45 pm BST (12.15 am IST) start with a live stream option available on Ten Sports Live in India. Catch the action in the UK on Sky Sports Red Button, with an option to live stream the match online on Sky Go.
Viewers in the US can watch the Champions League game on Fox Soccer Plus, with an option to live stream on FoxSoccer2Go. Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can catch the action via live streaming on Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do the same on Supersport online.
