Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi admits that losing to Man City in the Champions League final is “eating away” at him.

Speaking in a press conference at the Italian national team training ground, as reported by FCInterNews, the 35-year-old reacted to Saturday’s defeat in European club football’s biggest match.

Inter were bitterly disappointed to miss out on winning the Champions League by the narrowest of margins over the weekend.

Premier League champions Manchester City won by a 1-0 scoreline.

The Nerazzurri gave a good account of themselves on the biggest stage. Defender Acerbi in particularly looked imperious at the back, marshalling star City striker Erling Haaland well.

However, it was not enough on the night.

The Cityzens took their best chance, a blistering long-range effort by midfielder Rodri. Meanwhile, Inter missed a slew of chances late on to get back into the match.

Francesco Acerbi Reacts To The Sting Of Man City Defeat

Acerbi looked back on the match.

He remarked that “We still need to be proud of what we’ve done, but there’s a lingering feeling of bitterness.”

“It’s great to get to a final, but if you don’t lift the trophy in the end, you don’t write history.”

“I also get the sense that maybe we lacked a bit of awareness that on the pitch, we could really hurt this City team,” Acerbi suggested.

“There was too much talk about how strong they are,” he reflected. “And maybe we paid for that, unconsciously.”

“Even City were afraid of us,” the defender said. “We did everything to ensure that the Champions League came back with us to Milan.”

“It’s too bad, I’m very sorry about it.”

Acerbi Gives Thoughts On City Superstar Haaland

The Inter defender also gave his thoughts on what it was like coming up against star Man City striker Haaland.

“He’s twice the player I faced three years ago when I came up against Dortmund,” the 35-year-old said of the Norwegian.

“He’s a great striker, but we did a great job to stop him as a team.”

“After the match, I wasn’t thinking anything,” Acerbi admitted. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone.”

“The failure eats away at you.”

“It feels like an opportunity before the match,” he added. “But I was only thinking of giving everything. And now it feels like maybe another chance will come along.”