"It's disappointing for the second time. It's disappointing because again we had many situations to score goals, but the lads did everything they could. We fought, we sweat buckets, we created chances against a team that does not allow you to play good football, as the goalkeeper always kicks it long and by-passes the midfield," Italiano told Sky Italia.
I don't think we deserved to lose this game, which could've gone all the way to penalties. It is a huge disappointment for me, because the third Final we played the right way, but we still don't have the maturity, the smarts, that little extra to win in a one-off match.
I am sorry for the lads, but this is football. We have to accept these defeats. I know these players, they were all ready, fired up and concentrated. These games depend on who you are up against, but everyone who stepped onto the pitch gave all they could.
It was not what we all hoped for, but we had many situations to celebrate before they did. Things just go wrong in Finals for us, they don't go our way."
He added: "Losing hurts, going all the way for two years running is something good, but naturally you have to lift a trophy and we didn't manage it. This too is part of the process. The journey feels ruined when you have to watch the others lift the silverware.
It hurts to see the lads cry. We really believed this time we could have a different epilogue to this campaign."