Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi believes that Inter played well in yesterday’s Champions League group stage opener against Real Madrid but that they were denied a result by Merengues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster ITV after the match, the 45-year-old gave his immediate reaction to the 1-0 defeat in the Champions League group stage, and he chose to focus on the positive performance rather than the disappointing result.

Inter played with attacking intent against the La Liga leaders, looking firmly in control particularly in the first half of the match, but the result was swayed in the end by a last-minute goal by Merengues substitute Rodrygo.

In spite of this, Inzaghi felt that his team had given a good account of themselves with their display, and gave the view that his team performed exactly as he had wanted them to, showing confidence and emphasizing the positive nature of the performance.

“I asked for courage and personality, and the boys played an excellent match,” he said. “It is normal that there is regret for the result, it does not reflect what we saw on the pitch. Fortunately we play againin two and a half days, now the performance is what matters. Qualification is within our reach.”

“We came up against Courtois,” was the explanation Inzaghi gave for why the Nerazzurri were unable to get the better of Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Of the fans at the San Siro, he said, “They were crazy, they were cheering us from the first minute to the ninetieth. We are sorry to them, to the guys and to the club. This is football and it must be accepted, we look ahead and are confident.”