Dundalk manager Vinny Perth says bowing out of the Champions League qualification campaign against Qarabag is only "half-time in our European adventure".
They must now prepare to enter the Europa League next week where they will face Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia in the hope of booking their place in a play-off.
The Premier Division side came into this second-leg battle with a 1-1 draw which gave them some hope of progressing, but their dreams of reaching the third qualifying round of the Champions League were dashed following the 3-0 defeat in Baku.
Perth admits that the result will sting his players, and ponders how the game might have unfolded had Pat Hoban converted a big opportunity in the first half.
But he's confident that his side have already started refocusing for next week's Europa League tie.
"It's quite mixed feelings," he told RTÉ Sport after the full-time whistle. "I said before the tie [that] they're probably the best side we have faced.
"They've ran out worthy winners. There's a disappointment in tonight but this is something we've prepared for. This is half-time in our European adventure. We've a big week next week and ultimately, our goal is to play Europa League football.
"We've got to win the next round to be in the play-off for the Europa League. That's our target."
Perth added that the Lilywhites are already familiar with Bratislava's playing style, having watched two of their recent games.
He says all bases were covered well in time ahead of their potential meeting.
"It was perfect preparation for Bratislava. We've the last two matches watched already so we're ready for this. Last night will hurt right on the chin, and ending up losing 3-0 is really sore but that's the level we're at.
"But it's very easy to pick those players up. We've mentally got them ready for what's ahead of us in terms of next week is really the key for us, and we would have liked to have caused a major upset tonight. That was our plan.
"We're operating against sides who are two or three levels above us, and we're striving to get there, and we make small steps. But this is not the worst preparation ahead of next week."
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