Schalke should not be downbeat; they were beaten by a better team The aggregate defeat suffered by Schalke at the hands of Manchester United was the heaviest inflicted at this stage of the competition since its inception. They were beaten by five clear goals and never looked like coming close to disrupting United over the course of two legs. Indeed, had it not been for Manuel Neuer, it could have been far worse. It leaves the European football audience with a perception of Schalke as a two-bit operation, scarcely able to string a pair of passes together in a row. They were underwhelming, that much is undeniable, but their run to that stage of the competition betrays the legacy they left to neutral observers. Schalke's campaign led to them being out of their depth, by a long way, but they deserved their shot at the big time. They negotiated their way past Lyon and Benfica, the Eagles representing Portugal as champions, before outmanoeuvring Valencia and outclassing reigning champions Inter. They did so with resolution, conviction and an intrepid spirit. Schalke supplied the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper and featured Jefferson Farfan as well as Raul who, at the age of 33, proved that there is life in the old dog yet. Felix Magath also introduced to the continental consciousness Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Peer Kluge, who were largely impressive throughout the campaign. More difficult times are afoot for Schalke, given their financial predicament and an impending transfer window, but the club and its supporters should look back on the 2011 Champions League campaign with much pride.

Mourinho is on to something; Madrid need to let him finish the job

Barcelona have built a dynasty. It began in 1979 with the inauguration of La Masia, from which Barca draw their organic talent. Current graduates include Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro and a host of younger players on the fringes of the first-team. Barcelona 2011, headed by former Cantera product Pep Guardiola, is a way of life which is 32 years in the making.

In Spain's capital, things are different. They have had four different first-team coaches since Guardiola took up his position in the summer of 2008. That's four different philosophies, four different ways of playing and plenty of transfer campaigns too.

Continuity has bred the success for Barcelona whereas chopping and changing has only led Madrid around a vicious cycle of perpetual renewal, expectation and failure. There has been the odd trophy; Bernd Schuster won a Liga title before Barca began their hegemonic dominance of Spain's top flight.

But during the course of these Clasico encounters, something changed. Madrid were outclassed in November but returned for the head-to-head duels a far stronger outfit. They beat the Catalans in a one-off Copa del Rey final. Barca only beat them once in four matches and los Blancos also emerged from Camp Nou undefeated. They may be out of Europe now but their defeat at the Bernabeu came only after a red card was issued to Pepe.

Real Madrid are closer to Barcelona than they have been in years. Jose Mourinho has brought them there. With another transfer campaign imminent and with the Portuguese having another pre-season during which to impose his will on his players, they can inch yet closer next season. Madrid will have taken strong belief in their own abilities thanks to the courage and strength shown in these matches. Madrid need to give Mourinho the time he needs. Because in the Special One, they may have found the solution.