Sneijder laments home defeat

Wesley Sneijder believes Inter Milan stood little chance of progressing in the Champions League after losing 5-2 at home to Schalke.

The 2010 winners surrendered their crown following a 2-1 defeat away to German club Schalke in Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg.

But the real damage had already been inflicted, after the Italian giants slumped to a shock 5-2 loss during the first leg in Milan on April 5.

“I think they played well, like they did in Milan,” Dutch playmaker Sneijder said.

“In my opinion we lost this game at home. After the 5-2, it was difficult here.”

“We have to go forward now. On Saturday there’s another game and we want to win the Italian championship. It’s going to be difficult as well, but we can still win the Italian Cup, so we can still win two titles.”

“Even 4-2 down would have been difficult tonight but, as I said before, they did very well in Milan and even tonight.”

“We created many chances from the outset. We started really well but we just couldn’t score a goal. When you cannot score it’s difficult, especially if you have to score four goals in just 45 minutes.”

Inter now face an uphill battle to retain their domestic title.

They are third in Serie A, five points behind league leaders AC Milan with six matches remaining.

“We have to forget these games,” Sneijder said.

“It’s true, we are out, but we still have a championship to win. We start on Saturday with Parma which is going to be difficult. We have to look forward.”