Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic admits the players were in shock after their Champions League thrashing by Schalke.
The Serb had given them the dream start in the Champions League quarter-final with an amazing volley from the centre-circle, but the Nerazzurri went on to lose 5-2.
"It was an incredible result, almost as if it was destiny. Such a strange game, an absolute nightmare. We are still in shock, which is why Leonardo gave us a free day after the game. Something happened that absolutely nobody expected.
"After the final whistle, there was silence in the locker room. Sometimes things happen and you cannot explain them. Now we must keep our cool, be strong mentally and get back on our feet."
Stankovic limped off in the first half after a knock to his shin and remains in doubt for this weekend's match with Chievo.
"I have to say the Inter fans are the best. At the end they stood up and applauded. We are still heroes to them, they have not forgotten all the joy of last season.
"We have almost the same squad that won the Treble, so we've just got to remain positive and keep that self-belief intact.
"That includes the Champions League. Our qualification may seem to be out of the question, but you never know in football and something unexpected could happen. As for the Scudetto, that's all wide open, as Milan travel to Fiorentina and we play Chievo this weekend."
