Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini was left frustrated with his players after their Copa del Rey defeat at Alaves.

Carlos Benavidez scored the winner for Alaves on Saturday.

Pellegrini said: "Today we lacked everything, we played a very bad game, without the spirit or the demand to beat an Alavs team that is difficult on it's field, which also really wanted to continue in the Copa and I think it does so very fairly.

"The truth is that I did not expect a response from the team after Alavs scored a goal. I expected a response from the team from minute one and that response never appeared on the field. We couldn't get there, we didn't create danger either in the first or the second half, so it was a continuity and a game that unfortunately caught us on a very bad day today.

"I'm surprised that the team played like this, even though we lost against Celta in the 98th minute, we had so many chances like them. Previously we had played very good games that we couldn't win against Girona, Real Sociedad or Real Madrid, but it was a different team. The truth is that today is strange and we have to react quickly to not continue losing place both in LaLiga and in the possibility of continuing in the Conference.

"We now went out in the Copa, we are going to have only one game a week and I hope this serves as a lesson for us to continue improving."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Timberwolves starter ruled out for Game 5 vs. Nuggets
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season
Canucks' Nikita Zadorov takes a shot at NHL over teammate's suspension
Sports radio star Doug Gottlieb to coach college hoops while staying on the air
NFL scores big win in legal battle with ex-Raiders head coach
Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year