Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi expressed his pride at what his team had achieved even though they suffered a bitter loss to Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Inzaghi's side lost the final 1-0 after a second-half goal from Rodri, but the 47-year-old Inzaghi remained upbeat after a tough season in which he came under heavy pressure before guiding his side to third place in Serie A as well as winning the Italian Cup and Super Cup.

"On a night like this, I can’t single players out who played below par. I said yesterday (Friday) I would not change my players for anyone else, and tonight the world saw why," Inzaghi told Sky Sports Italia.

"They showed the whole world how well they stood up to Manchester City, a side that everyone knows has so much quality.

"I hugged my players one by one, as they were extraordinary, just as our fans were and deserved a different result, but I hope they were happy seeing the way the team played tonight."

Inzaghi has faced harsh criticism from fans and media.

"Both I and my players were attacked and admittedly we lost some games that we shouldn’t have lost, but I think we learned valuable lessons from those defeats," he said, pointing out that the team had won four trophies over the last two years.

"With this spirit, organisation and determination, I think we will be back here again in future," he added.

The chance for Inter to score and tie the game late was as clear as any team could hope for. The ball floated slowly across the Manchester City goalmouth in the 89th minute toward the head of towering striker

Romelu Lukaku, who stooped slightly four yards out with half the goal open to aim for, guided the ball toward the net — but almost straight at goalkeeper Ederson, whose left leg pushed it toward safety.

Somehow the 1-0 lead was intact and minutes later Man City were European champions for the first time.

“I'm still wondering how it's possible that we didn't score at the end,” Inzaghi said.