Ultimately after their chastening 33-17 defeat to Irish rivals Ulster, Munster were satisfied happy to get back to winning ways in the 29-11 victory over the Italians.
Tries from Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Niall Ronan and Coughlan also ensured they came away with maximum points as they rose up to third - ten points behind bitter rivals Leinster at the summit.
But with a Heineken Cup double header on the horizon, Coughlan accepts it was a far-from-vintage performance but knows it was a case of needs must.
"Look, we know that performance wasn't without flaws," he said. "We knew we'd be up against it, they're a good side and kept going right to the end.
"I suppose we can look at the changes we've had week to week but the point is we coped with that.
"We got the result. It's points in the bank, we've won no title but we're in a better place now than at the start of the day in terms of this league and it gives us the type of start to what are two huge weeks for us."
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