USG lost their Champions League tie at home 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Pocognoli said afterwards: "I'm proud of my team. They fought and even at 3-0 down they didn’t give up.
"Newcastle were just on another level. We managed to threaten and we played our own game. We just lacked efficiency, but one thing we have now is more experience. And that’s something that will help us going forwards.
"There are more big teams to come in the Champions League and all will bring their own strengths and tactics. All we can do is focus on ourselves and improve our own game."
USG captain Christian Burgess also said: "We saw a Newcastle side that were just much more efficient and had so much quality. We started the game very offensively and created chances.
"If we had scored to make it 2-1, for example, the whole game would have changed. It’s unfortunate but a good lesson."