Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng admits his German side were simply not up to task in their comprehensive 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart in their Bundesliga over the weekend.

The Royals Blues suffered the shock defeat against the relegation-threatened on Saturday with the Ghana international playing the entire duration of the game.

The defeat dealt a blow to Schalke’s chances of clinching an automatic Champions League spot as Dortmund are fighting hard to also get the place. Boateng admits that they were weak during the match which led to Stuttgart exploiting their frailties.

“Stuttgart exploited our errors ruthlessly. We were unlucky to concede the first goal. In the second half we took things up a notch but were completely asleep for the first fifteen minutes,” Boateng said.

We’ve been playing well since the winter break. We’ll learn from this defeat and put it behind us as quickly as possible. Next week, we’ve got another opportunity to improve. We’re still in a strong position.”

Boateng will be hoping they can improve their play with three matches remaining in the Bundesliga.