The team picked up three wins and three defeats from their pool games - ultimately not enough to see them progress to the knockouts, with Gloucester instead moving forward.
That same side beat them 14-11 on Saturday to curtail their hopes but there were still plenty of promising signs with Zebre leading 6-3 at the break and the in-form Dries van Schalkwyk also crossing the whitewash.
In the GUNNESS PRO12, Zebre have already bettered their victory tally from the whole of last season with four wins so far and currently sit tenth in the table.
But Bortolami knows his team must continue to take the chances when they come their way and close out the close games, like the one against Gloucester, in their favour.
"We must do better, especially when the games are balanced," he said.
"I was pleased to play well against my former team. Everyone should be happy but at the same time upset about the defeat as we always want to win.
"We should learn from that match for the future. We should not be satisfied with what has been done so far this season because there is still so much where we can grow."
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