The Italian admitted the Viola had endured a tough night after edging through to the Europa League group stage
The Viola drew the tie 2-2 on aggregate but advance to the group stage of the competition on away goals, with Montella's decision to rest Giuseppe Rossi, Massimo Ambrosini and Alberto Aquilani backfiring on the night.
"There is great satisfaction for the qualification, but our opponents showed they were in better physical shape and made us suffer,” the 39-year-old told told Sky.
"We have learned to suffer and we’re going to need that skill in Serie A too, because it can happen over the course of a whole season.
"In the second half I saw some good things, starting from Mario Gomez. Nobody held back."
A slip-up by Brazilian goalkeeper Neto enabled the Swiss outfit to take the lead towards the end of the first half, but Montella refused to criticise his player.
"A mistake can happen, he reacted afterwards like a goalkeeper who knows how to hold his own. Fortunately we qualified and the lad will be more relaxed from now on," h added.
"I’d like us to play some important games in a prestigious stadium."
The Europa League group stage draw takes place on Friday, with Fiorentina and Lazio both residing in pot one. ----------------------- goal.com
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