Schalke 04 coach Roberto Di Matteo has admitted that a gulf in quality was the difference as Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 win in their Champions League tie on Wednesday.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo have put the La Liga leaders in control ahead of the second leg, and Di Matteo accepted that the reigning European champions were too strong on the night.
He told reporters: "The difference was the quality. I'm satisfied with how the team played. If the shot that hit the crossbar went in, the result could have been a different one. Real Madrid had three chances and got two goals from them.
"The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is going to be very difficult, but we have to believe and we're going to try and turn it around."
The return leg will be played on Tuesday March 10.
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