Pep Guardiola has refused to blame Manuel Neuer for Bayern Munich's 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
The German champions, who had the lion's share of possession against a resolute Arsenal, got caught by a sucker punch from the hosts in the 77th minute after Neuer misjudged a free-kick and allowed Olivier Giroud to nod in from close range.
"The first half he had some great saves," Guardiola said, discussing Neuer's game.
"Never in my life have I criticised a player for taking decisions if correct or not correct. We did not lose because of Manuel Neuer. This is football and he took a decision in that situation -- that is it."
Despite losing their first game since going down in the German Super Cup in August, Guardiola was proud of Bayern's display against a Gunners side that were desperate to secure their first Champions League points of the season.
"I'm so proud of my team. I like to win so I'm not happy but we played with a lot of courage to come here and take the ball out of the Arsenal players," he said.
"You cannot expect to come here and create chances. Arsenal have very good players, fast players, but we were there with lots of personality and we showed we are able to come here and compete."
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm was slightly more critical of his team's showing, citing a lack of cutting edge up front as a source of frustration.
"For the most part we controlled the match well," Lahm said after the match. "If our build-up play is good our opponents can hardly press -- and that's what happened today.
"We had some problems before the break because we were too aggressive.
"The defeat is very, very bitter. We had great chances against a very, very good team, but at the decisive moments we didn't score."
Neuer echoed his captain's sentiments, but refused to be drawn on whether Giroud' goal should have disallowed for hand-ball.
"We played quite well, a draw would have been deserved," Neuer said.
"Unfortunately I made an error so Arsenal took the lead.
"I don't care whether it was a handball by Giroud or not, I know I made the mistake. But life goes on."
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, and German teammate of Neuer and Lahm, said that despite Bayern dominance on the ball, the hosts deserved their win.
"We really deserved to win. For 90 minutes we worked hard defensively, which isn't exactly typical of us," Mertesacker said.
"Apparently we're not too bad at it. We wanted to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible. That worked out very well, we allowed Bayern very few chances.
"Bayern were constantly dangerous today, but we made the most of it. We're pleased with the three points. The match in Munich in two weeks will be even more interesting."