Müller rues chances that got away

Thomas Müller did not need telling where his team had fallen short in the UEFA Champions League final against FC Internazionale Milano. As the FC Bayern München striker said ruefully after the 2-0 loss to José Mourinho's Nerazzurri: "They were just more clinical in attack."

If this was the common thread running through the Bayern players' post-match comments – skipper Mark van Bommel noted that Inter had been "not the best but the most effective" team – for Müller, the analysis must have been particularly painful given the two second-half chances he spurned.

With the Bundesliga champions chasing an equaliser after Diego Milito had struck against the run of play in the first half, Müller missed an excellent opportunity just 20 seconds after the restart, connecting with Hamit Altıntop's cross but failing to get his shot past the legs of Inter goalkeeper Júlio César. "I am not thinking about that particular situation," said Müller, "but I think I need to take chances like that."

The 20-goal forward squandered another opening after 63 minutes when his goalbound snapshot deflected away off Esteban Cambiasso. César then tipped over Arjen Robben's curling strike shortly before Milito effectively killed off the Bavarians with his second goal in the 70th minute.

Bayern had 66% of possession but struggled otherwise to break down the Inter defence and Müller lamented their failure to play to their potential when it mattered most. "I think it was us not playing our game as we wanted to play," the 20-year-old said. "Inter, of course, were very compact at the back but we knew that, and they were just more clinical in attack. The disappointment is huge at the moment."

Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger echoed his team-mate's words and said that Inter were deserved victors. "They played a very clever and experienced game, that's the mark of a top team. So they deservedly won. We had more possession but it was difficult to create chances. If Thomas Müller had scored from his chance, or the one he had right before the 2-0, it would have been a different game."

Inter's success meant it was they, not Louis van Gaal's Bayern, who completed a treble of UEFA Champions League and domestic league and cup. Schweinsteiger added: "We all know that we did not perform at 100%. Maybe everyone was a little bit too excited because it was something special. We have had a good season. Too bad we could not top it off with the treble but the club is on the right path with its philosophy."