Roberto De Zerbi believes that the best team lost Sunday's FA Cup semi-final as his Brighton & Hove Albion side suffered a 7-6 penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
The Seagulls played out a goalless draw with the Red Devils in a closely-fought 120 minutes that saw both goalkeepers called into action to make a number of crucial saves.
The tie was eventually decided on penalties, with 12 perfect spot kicks converted before Brighton winger Solly March blazed his effort over the crossbar, and Victor Lindelof then netted the decisive penalty kick to send Man United through to the final.
Brighton are still yet to win a competitive match at Wembley in six attempts, but De Zerbi feels that his Seagulls stars, who boasted 61% possession against Erik ten Hag's men, were unfortunate to end up on the losing side.
Speaking to BelN Sports after the game, De Zerbi said: "I think there was only one team on the pitch and we deserved to win and to play in the final, but in the penalty shootout we know the team who played better can lose the game.
"We know that football can be cruel but we have to close this page and we have to think only on the next game, only on the last part of the season.
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"I'm very proud of my players. We can choose how we can lose the game and I think this is the best way to lose the game because we played very well.
"We made too many mistakes in the last 20 meters in the last control before [taking a shot]. Anyway, I have to say thanks my players. I'm really pleased for them. I think that our fans can be proud for our team."
March was left in tears and had to be consoled by his teammates after missing his penalty, and De Zerbi understands the disappointment the winger feels having endured similar shootout heartache in his playing days.
"I told him that when I was a player I made a lot of mistakes in penalty situations and penalty shootouts and there is no problem," said the Italian.
"I want to close this day from tomorrow and we have a very important game on Wednesday against Nottingham [Forest] and we're looking forward to it."
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The enforced substitution of Danny Welbeck due to injury in the second half or normal time rubbed salt into Brighton's wounds and De Zerbi has acknowledged that the growing list of absentees is a concern heading into the latter stages of the campaign.
"We are frustrated because we have too many injuries." said De Zerbi. "For us without [Evan] Ferguson, without [Adam] Lallana, without [Jeremey] Sarmiento, if we lose these type of players it's difficult. We are strong. We are strong people and we restart from tomorrow."
Tariq Lamptey and Jakub Moder are also in Brighton's treatment room, although Jason Steele and Joel Veltman both recovered in time to make the bench against Man United, with the latter coming on in the second half.
Brighton will now focus on attempting to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, with De Zerbi's side currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table and just one point behind seventh-placed Liverpool who have played two games more than the Seagulls.
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