Real Betis paid the prize for getting their foot from the pedal after an impressive first half in the final of Wednesday's conference by Chelsea, said their inspiring captain Isco and experienced coach Manuel Pellegrini.
Betis was a goal during the break after dominating their English opponents, but were wiped out in the second half when Chelsea returned strongly to take a 4-1 victory.
“I think we have sought a little refuge in the scoreboard. We were too deep. They are a team with a lot of quality, a lot of strength,” said Isco, a five times Champions League winner with Real Madrid who was excellent in the first 45 minutes, but just like the rest of his teammates looked after the break.
“It is a very tough defeat after what we did in the first half. Football is ruthless,” he said.
“We had a good first half where they hardly had any opportunities. We had it close and we didn't know how to take advantage of the score, something that punished us all season. In a European final, his mistakes are very punished.
“In the second half they ran over us. It is painful,” he added.
“We could not maintain the rhythm that we had expected. It was a heavy opponent. A last route that I think does not reflect the difference between the two teams,” added Pellegrini.
“We must not forget that we were confronted with Chelsea. I am disappointed that we surpassed them in the first half, but then let it glide in the second half.
“In the second half we probably had to keep pressing higher,” added defender Marc Bartra, another player with the past Champions League success, in Barcelona.
But he had a fulsical praise for the fans of the Spanish club that greatly surpassed Chelsea's supporters and caused a noisy background in the Polish city.
“It is a source of pride to see the fans like this. I love this club for the way they always support us, the way they encourage us. It is a source of pride, even in the defeat. It says a lot about this club,” Bartra added.
“It seems that the season is now worthless, but we will appreciate it more as time passes.”
Tear defender Aitor Rubial promised they would be back. Betis will compete next season in the Europa League at a higher level after a sixth place in Laliga.
“We had a difficult time this season, a very difficult piece, but we are convinced that we will continue this and we will do it again,” he predicted.