Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola was magnanimous in defeat after Internazionale ended their dream of becoming the first club to successfully defend the Champions League.

Barca trailed 3-1 from the first leg of their semi-final with the Italian champions last week and were unable to claw back the deficit at the Camp Nou.

Inter lost Thiago Motta to a first-half red card for pushing Sergio Busquets in the face, but the remaining 60 minutes were a frustration to Barca after they struggled to break down a well-drilled defensive unit.

Gerard Pique's 84th minute effort was not enough to turn around the tie and afterwards Guardiola paid tribute to the defensive strength of the opposition.

"We've tried and I'm proud of it but we have to apologise. We can only congratulate Inter," he said.

"We lacked continuity in the game and, through mistakes or whatever, we failed to disrupt their one-on-one approach.

"When a team defends with nine it's not easy to get through. We tried inside and outside, but attack is always the hardest and the goal came too late."

Guardiola has now urged his crestfallen players to lift themselves for their remaining domestic fixtures.

Barca are one point clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid with four games left in the La Liga season.

"We have had a good Champions League and it's a success to reach the semi-finals," added Guardiola.

"We'll try again next year. We have to recover in three days to go for the league. We have to get up."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email