Chelsea boss Frank Lampard felt they matched Real Madrid for an hour in Tuesday's Champions League defeat.
Chelsea were beaten 2-0 in London as Real reached the Champions League semifinals 4-0 on aggregate.
Lampard said: "I thought for 60 minutes of the game you probably saw why I picked the lineup. We had big energy, big organisation in the team and caused Real Madrid a lot of problems.
"The only thing that was missing from our game was a goal. We had really good chances to do that, at this level when you're in the really strong moments... the first half was a strong moment for us. This team can always give you problems in transition of course because they're a fantastic transition teams amongst other things. Our game was exactly how I wanted it and one goal or two goals in that 60 minutes changes the face of it. We didn't do that and at this level, they're so clinical."
Lampard explained why was seen complaining to the match officials.
"I think probably the officials should be aware of that, a high level game, details of minutes. Two minute in the first half wasn't enough for me. I'm not going to complain about that after the result. Militao for me, was a second yellow card.
"I'm not going to say what I really think but in practise at this level you see that yellow card given a lot. That one in the attacking final third when our player is beyond their centre-back and they get brought down. Normally that's a yellow card which means red, which means half an hour of 'here we go'. We had to do it at the Bernabeu, they would have had to do it here. It didn't happen."
On motivating the team for the remaining games, Lampard also said: "We have to. The reality at this level, we've been fortunate enough to have success for 20 years. Many clubs in the Premier League would dream of our success and Champions Leagues year after year, Premier League winners. Maybe if this is a year where we're not quite where we want to be and there are probably reasons for the transition.
"A few years ago we didn't make the Champions League for the following year and Chelsea then won the Premier League the next year so you can't be too short term with it. I think there are obviously places we want to improve at the club and maybe the level of game tonight shows that where we played a good game and we lose. I don't think it's time to jump too far ahead of the step that is front of you.
"The step in front of us is seven games in the Premier League to show that performance. That's the standard. The end bit, being clinical and scoring is absolutely crucial and something we need to address."