Inter coach Leonardo admitted his plan to contain Spain veteran Raul had backfired as the holders crashed out of the Champions League.
Raul opened the scoring at the Veltins Arena on Wednesday night in their quarter-final, second-leg clash as Schalke beat Inter 2-1 having shocked the holders with a 5-2 win in the first leg last week at the San Siro.
The 33-year-old is enjoying an indian summer having joined unfashionable Schalke from Spanish giants Real Madrid at the start of the season and he has been at the centre of the Germans’ impressive European run.
His 45th-minute strike showed he is as sharp as ever and the Champions League’s record goal-scorer has now netted 71 times in the competition.
As Raul also scored in the first leg, Leonardo said his pre-match strategy involved cutting off the Spain veteran’s supply of possession from midfield, but to no avail.
“I want to congratulate Raul on being an extraordinary player, he is an example for all,” said Brazilian Leonardo.
“I tried to put their midfield under pressure by using Thiago Motta rather than (Argentina’s Esteban) Cambiasso.
“My choice was based on our physical condition at the moment, but we never managed to control the game and begin a comeback.
“I think the team believed in causing an upset and we tried everything, but we didn’t achieve our objective.”
Currently third in the Serie A table, Inter suffered a 3-0 defeat at the San Siro at the hands of Milan in the Italian league just before they were beaten 5-2 at home by Schalke and Leonardo said his side were not in top shape.
“During the last few games, we weren’t at our best level from a physical point of view,” he admitted, having succeeded Rafael Benitez as coach in December.
“It has been less than four months since I took office. I have made decisions and there may have been mistakes.
“I do not want excuses, but we must not forget that many of our players were injured and absent for 30-40 days.
“There was also a change of coaches. We have fought a long marathon and it will be difficult to return to the championship, we would need to be even better both physically and technically to move up a gear.”
Having brought his side to Gelsenkirchen needing to score four goals to make the semi-finals, Leonardo was gracious in defeat and said Schalke could shock Manchester United.
“Schalke deserved the win,” said the Brazilian.
“They were the better team over the two legs and we were a bit tired, we have played a lot of football in the league and we showed it.
“They have a chance against Manchester United, it will depend on what happens on the day.”
Schalke will host United on April 26 in the first-leg of the semi-final, with the return leg at Old Trafford on May 4.