Luka Modric offered no excuses after Real Madrid's Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 3-2 loss at home in their group-stage opener, in what should have been Los Blancos' most winnable match in this stage of the competition, will be bitterly disappointing for Los Blancos and Modric was honest in his assessment.

"In the first half we weren't at the races," conceded Modric, "but in the second we tried to improve and we did improve, but ultimately not enough to give us a chance of drawing or winning the match."

"We have to improve, that much is obvious, we lacked confidence today, especially in the first half."

After the disappointment of Wednesday's match, the Croatian midfielder is keen to move on and is already focused on bouncing back.

"We have to carry on," Modric said, "the next came is coming up fast and there's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have to be much better in the coming games."