Sevilla coach Unai Emery said a "lack of freshness" had cost his side after they came so close to beating Barcelona in Sunday evening's Copa del Rey final, but lost out 2-0 in extra-time.
Sevilla were big underdogs going into the game, and also had to deal with a short-turnaround having beaten Liverpool 3-1 in the Europa League final in Basel the previous Wednesday night.
However the Andalusians played a full part in the Copa decider, being the better side for long periods, especially after Javier Mascherano was red-carded late in the first half.
The closest Sevilla came to a goal was an Ever Banega crashed a shot into the post early in the second period, and their chances went when Banega himself was sent off with the 90 minutes almost up. And Jordi Alba and Neymar then scored in extra-time as Barca completed the Copa and La Liga double.
The Rojiblancos coach told his postgame news conference at the Estadio Vicente Calderon that his team had controlled the game for periods and made the chances to win it, but had just fallen short in front of goal.
"This team had a lot of ambition, we just lacked freshness," Emery said. "With a bit more we could have responded even more.
"We had a good chance, the way the game went, to have won this final. But we were not able to do it. We did not allow Barca to unbalance our defence, we hit the post, also had the chance for [Grzegorz] Krychowiak.
"They had very few chances, which is the most difficult thing, and we did that with 11 vs. 11 and 11 vs. 10.
"We lacked accuracy in moments when the team had chances. If we had a bit more freshness, we would have taken them."
The balance of the week had to be positive Emery said, after Sevilla's fans had stayed after the final whistle to applaud their side.
"The team has experienced that this year, and the fans have played their part too," he said. "So many Sevillistas in Basel, here in Madrid, and transmits such energy to the team.
"It is a perfect communion and today the supporters understood how difficult it was, how well their team played, and they appreciate that.
"We must congratulate Barcelona for winning the Copa del Rey -- but also all our team, all our players, everyone at Sevilla, I am very proud of all the work of the team through the season in all competitions."
Sevilla could make the step up to compete in the Champions League next season, said Emery, while suggesting he himself would stick around to push them forward.
"I have been three and a half years in the club," he said. "We have come through a difficult period, and the team has kept growing in a sustained and important way.
"They can fight for titles, win trophies, and reach the Champions League. The club can make the next step, it has that ambition.
"The demands are very high, but we talk about that constantly, to not limit ourselves and always reach for more and improve and I always ask for that improvement of everyone at the club and of myself."
Until his sending off, for a professional foul on Neymar, Banega had another super game for Sevilla -- and it could now be his last as a free transfer move to Inter Milan is rumoured to be close.
"I have had a long relationship with Ever Banega -- of love and of hate in moments," Emery said. "But I love him as he's a lad who loves football and loves Sevilla. If he leaves Sevilla he will leave crying."
