Stefan de Vrij feels that Inter Milan failed to play like their usual selves as they crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid.

The Dutchman reacted to the round of sixteen defeat on penalties speaking to InterTV, via FCInterNews.

It’s the end of the road for Inter in Europe this season.

The Nerazzurri will not be equalling last season’s run to the final of the Champions League.

Inter came into the second leg of their round of sixteen tie against Atletico Madrid with a slight advantage.

But the team were unable to hang onto it.

The pressure from the Atletico players on the pitch, and the fans in the stands at the Metropolitano, proved to be too much for the Nerazzurri on the night.

Stefan De Vrij: Inter Not Usual Selves Vs Atletico Madrid

Everything seemed to be going perfectly for Inter after Federico Dimarco scored the first goal on the night, and Inter’s second on aggregate, following a flowing team counterattack.

But a mix-up at the back from defender Benjamin Pavard allowed Antoine Griezmann to score soon after.

And after that, Inter never really looked comfortable.

There were too many errors, and not enough composure. Both defensively, and in possession.

Atletico scored a second late in regulation time through wingback Rodrigo Riquelme.

And whilst Inter showed some flashes of their quality in extra time, as did Atletico, it always looked likely to go to a penalty shootout.

Once things came down to penalties, Atletico were the team that looked more confident. And they were rewarded with a spot in the quarterfinals.

De Vrij admitted that “We weren’t the usual Inter.”

“In the first half, we allowed them too much of the initiative,” the 32-year-old continued.

“However, we were dangerous and took the lead. Then we immediately conceded the equalizer.”

“We stayed in the game, we had our chances.”

De Vrij reflected, “That’s how it went. We went out on penalties and we’re massively disappointed with how it ended.”

“There’s great spirit in this team,” the defender added. “We didn’t play very well but the spirit is always there.”

“This team always gives its all,” he made clear.

“Unfortunately this evening things didn’t go well. But there’s still work for us to do, we have to finish what we started in July.”