José Peseiro, Sporting coach was distraught after seeing his team capitulate to a 3-1 defeat to CSKA in last night’s UEFA Cup final.

Sporting led 1-0 at half-time and appeared to be in control of the match, but three goals after the interval earned the Russian side their first European trophy and left Peseiro wondering what might have been.

“We’re all frustrated because we did everything we could in order to win,” he said afterwards.

“I think the result is unfair. We controlled the match and CSKA were just very lucky on the counterattack. We did not have any luck but I’m proud of my players and now we have to look forward.

“I am very sad, we had so much possession and created so many chances. It was a high quality game and I think the cup is in good hands, but I feel for the fans and the players. The defeat is hard to take and we looked tired at the end.

“In hindsight maybe we attacked too much, but that is the way I like my teams to play. I will not change. I think this is the way fotball should be played. We could have sat back at 1-0 but that is not our style.

Rogério, Sporting’s goalscorer, felt the players had let the supporters down.

“I’d prefer not to score and win this match instead,” he said.

“We played at home and we’re very sad because our expectations were not fulfilled, and nor were the hopes of our fans. We had a great opportunity to win the UEFA Cup but we could not do it. But we must congratulate CSKA.”