Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday (March 17) he is eager to play against Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern Munich in the Champions League, saying the tie would likely be well balanced.

Champions League holders Real face Bayern in the quarter-finals in the round's biggest tie with Zidane up against former Real coach Ancelotti, who he describes as his teacher during his time in Spain.

Madrid travel to Bilbao to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday afternoon (March 18) as they try and maintain their league lead over Barcelona.

Real have won one of three visits to Athletic's new San Mames stadium, which opened in 2013, and the Basques have hit form, winning their last four league home games on the trot and beating local rivals Real Sociedad 2-0 in their last outing away from home.

Real have a game in hand over Barcelona and are two points ahead.