Benedikt Howedes has admitted that Schalke 04 suffered a "brutal blow" by losing 2-0 to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo handed the holders a vital advantage ahead of the second game in the Spanish capital, but Howedes believes that Schalke can get back into the tie with another battling defensive display.

"We defended well overall, but of course it's a brutal blow to be punished by Real's two chances," the German defender told reporters.

"We fought and were very industrious. We gave Real hardly any opportunities to score and that will be our goal in Madrid as well.

"We are not in a good position but everything is possible in football and we will aim to give a good account of ourselves."

Schalke have never overturned a first-leg deficit in the knockout stages of the Champions League.