Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini said his side didn't deserve to lose in Monday's pulsating 2-1 loss to Serie A leaders Napoli.
Gonzalo Higuain scored in the second and 62nd minute before Adem Ljajic pulled one back for Inter, though Yuto Nagatomo's second yellow before half-time placed the visitors at a disadvantage for much of the game.
"I think it was a wonderful game apart from the first 15 minutes, as we made a mistake," Mancini said after the match.
"After that it was a balanced encounter, Napoli didn't cause that many problems considering they are one of the favourites for the Scudetto.
"Unfortunately the red card was absurd. It was an error from the referee, because the first yellow card was Jose Callejon simulating. The second Nagatomo could've been more careful and shouldn't have gone in like that.
"In a game like this, you can't book a player in Napoli's midfield, it wasn't a scoring opportunity or anything.
"The problem also is that Medel and Melo were on a yellow card and Kondogbia injured. Seeing as we get booked for sneezing nowadays, I preferred to keep an important player on the bench rather than risk losing both to a ban. I have to think of the next games too."
Higuain has been in fine form this season, and punctuated a scintillating campaign with two more goals in Napoli's biggest game to date.
"Higuain is a remarkable striker, he only needs half a chance and he scores," Mancini said. "Higuain certainly makes an enormous difference and so did Pepe Reina this evening."
Searching for the equaliser late, Inter struck the post twice in the final 40 seconds, denying them what would have been a deserved point.
"To be honest, from the bench we thought at least one of them had gone in, as the vision wasn't very clear from there," said Mancini.
"Even down to 10 men, we only really risked on the Napoli counter. That too should give us confidence going forward. It was a difficult match, one we absolutely did not deserve to lose. We can build on that.
"I have always been aware of the team's strength and that we can work hard to improve a great deal. Some might not like our style, but that's football."