The Serie A leaders were crashed out of the competition by two second half goals as the Nerazzurri earned the bragging rights.
Ibrahimovic had put Pioli’s men ahead 31 minutes into the game but the Swede was given his marching orders on the 58th minute mark after his second yellow card and that proved to be the turning point.
Romelu Lukaku got the equalizer for Antonio Conte’s men through the penalty spot on the 71st minute and the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate before a moment of brilliance from Denmark international Christian Eriksen completed Inter Milan’s comeback.
Speaking to the media after the game, Pioli said the only difference between his men and Inter was the Ibrahimovic red card and insists he feels positive about the future of the Rossoneri.
“It’s disappointing that we went out, because we cared about this competition,” Pioli told RAI Sport.
“The performance shows we are a strong team who can hold out well, but going a man down made it much more difficult.”
The coach was asked if the altercation between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic before half-time influenced the rest of the game.
“The situation was an influence, as the first yellow card then led to the second. They are two grown-ups, they said something to each other, I don’t know what. It happens, we have to look forward.
“What didn’t work was that down to 10 men, it was much more complicated, and we were naïve with the foul to give away the penalty.
“However, I leave this defeat feeling much more positive and confident about our future than I was after the Atalanta game.
“It was a very balanced match, the only difference was having a man down. If it was 11 against 11, it was open to any result and we were 1-0 up.”
“The second yellow card was from his desire to track back and help the team. He could’ve slowed down, but it happens.”
