Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli was hugely disappointed with his team's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
Despite the Italians winning 3-2 in Florence, Bayern progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition on away goals with a 4-4 aggregate result.
"I feel great bitterness," said Prandelli. "But I am proud to have guided the team to play this match. My players should not feel frustrated."
He added: "They are working to become important players and these type of games show that they can compete against anyone.
"My players did well against Bayern and it´s a pity that Miroslav Klose's goal in the first-leg turned out to be important."
Klose had given Bayern a controversial 2-1 win over 10-man Fiorentina at the Allianz Arena despite being clearly offside when nodding the late winner.
Prandelli nevertheless believes his side leave Europe's elite club competition with their heads held high. The Viola had registered five wins, including defeats of Lyon and Liverpool, on the way to finishing top of Group E before their meeting with Bayern.
"We can only be proud of what we have done this season," he said. "We leave the tournament having won six of eight games."
