Sevilla boss Unai Emery has praised his team for their character during Tuesday's European Super Cup against Barcelona.
The Europa League winners took a third-minute lead against the Catalan outfit, but fell 4-1 behind early in the second period.
Emery's side then scored three goals in the final 30 minutes to take the match into extra time, before Pedro won it for Barca in the 115th minute.
Despite the defeat, Emery believes that his team 'took a step forward' and showed that they can compete against the best sides in Europe.
"I don't know if the result is fair but with the chances we had, I'm left with the taste of going so close," Emery told Marca. "We have competed, we have maintained. I think the team really deserved it. Reaching these levels in August leaves you scarred.
"We've taken a step forward. Even in defeat we're proud because we've been here. I said at the start the worst thing was that we wouldn't look like ourselves, and we did. It's a message of optimism for Sevilla, and to the top teams, that we are going to demand a lot."
It is the second time in two years that Sevilla have lost the Super Cup to fellow Spanish opposition.
Matt Law
