Champions League Final - Mauricio's verdict

Mauricio Pochettino spoke only of his pride after our Champions League journey ended at the final stage with a 2-0 loss against Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday night.

After three weeks of preparation, our first Champions League Final took a turn against us within 30 seconds of kick-off. Sadio Mane's cross from the left hit Moussa Sissoko, a penalty was awarded for handball and Mo Salah smashed the spot-kick down the middle. 1-0 down, two minutes on the clock.

We picked ourselves up from that huge blow to dominate possession in the first half without creating notable chances. That changed in the second half as we pushed for the equaliser. Dele had a couple of sights of goal and then in our best spell, Alisson denied Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane, Lucas and the best of the bunch, a fingertip save to turn away Christian Eriksen's free-kick.

Any lingering hopes of another late, late show were ended when Divock Origi struck Liverpool's second with three minutes remaining. It was a performance full of heart, but not enough on the night.

Speaking afterwards, Mauricio reflected: "Now it's impossible to talk. We are all very disappointed. The season was fantastic. We need to feel proud. I feel so proud of all the players, the fans and the Club.

"It was a final and we've spoke in the past that a final is to win, not just to play well. It's about the details. It's not about to deserve or to play well, it's to win, because nobody is going to remember that we maybe deserved a little bit more.

"The penalty changed the plans completely. It had a massive impact for the team which we had to manage but the team was great, because of course it was difficult after that. Overall I thought we dominated. We created chances but they were more aggressive and clinical in front of goal.

"It's so painful but at the same time we need to be calm in the way that we talk and analyse things because the season was fantastic and we need to feel proud, to finish in the top four and play in the Champions League Final for the first time in the history of the Club."