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The Giallorossi suffered their first defeat in the competition at the AOK Stadion in Germany, despite goals in either half from Andressa Alves and substitute Sophie Roman Haug.
"Unfortunately in games like this if you make even small mistakes there are players that can punish you," Spugna said.
"But it was a courageous performance, we produced a lot of what we wanted to implement out there.
"Perhaps the scoreline is a bit harsh on us, because on another night we could have got more out of what we created, but we will go home with a greater understanding and confidence in what we are capable of."
Wolfsburg took the lead midway through the first half through Ewa Pajor, who also scored in the first meeting between the two sides, before Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir doubled the advantage soon after.
But a remarkable long-distance strike from Andressa brought Alessandro Spugna’s side back into the contest before the break; only for Lena Lattwein and Pajor to both strike in the space of barely 60 seconds after half-time to give the German champions breathing room.
Roman Haug’s close-range finish with 15 minutes remaining set up a tense finish to the contest, although the Giallorosse were left to rue some wasteful finishing as they failed to reel in their opponents, two-time winners of this competition.
"We were always in the game - we conceded two goals in two minutes in the second half but we didn't let ourselves fall apart," Linari said.
"So we need to be proud of that, proud of the way we continued to play, and going forward if we keep that attitude we will be heading in the right direction.
"You could see they respected us, and I think that's a big step forward for both Italian football and for Roma."
Spugna’s side nevertheless still control their own destiny in the competition: victory over St. Polten in Latina next week will guarantee their progress to the next phase of the competition.
See more photos from the match in our gallery below.
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