Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini admits the manner of their Champions League quarterfinal defeat to PSG is tough to take.
La Dea were leading at the 89th minute via Mario Pasalic, only for PSG goals from Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in injury-time to earn the French the win.
“The biggest regret is that we got so close and thought we really might achieve this extraordinary coup," Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The satisfaction remains that we had a great Champions League campaign, constantly improving against the best teams in Europe. I can only thank the lads for all they've done this season.
“It's disappointing because we came so close. There are some of the best players in the world, Mbappe and Neymar, who at a certain point really sparked them into life.
“We could've conceded earlier, in a way that might've been better, as conceding in stoppages hurts more. We did all we possibly could, at the end of a very difficult and exhausting run of fixtures, so I can only thank the lads.
“The Champions League is a very special competition and I read a while back Jose Mourinho said it was the competition of details. Details make the difference when games are so balanced and can go one way or the other.
“Despite everything, we reached the 90th minute in the lead. We were certainly well-prepared on set plays, there was that Berat Djimsiti chance, and could've done better on a couple of counter-attacks, but again, these are all details."
