Real Soceidad coach Imanol Alguacil took aim at their critics after their Copa del Rey win against Osasuna.
La Real won 2-0 days after their LaLiga defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby.
Imanol later said: "Some this week were not happy because we had lost the derby 2-1 against Athletic, who also went out, who went third, that does not play in European competition... It is true that, at times, they were superior, but my team, even conceding a 2-0, stayed on their feet and came out almost on all fours giving their best, even though they did not have a exquisite day.
"Surely, when time passes, we will realise what this team is doing."
Imanol continued: "It makes me very sad when someone criticises this team. It hurts me a lot when we are criticised when we are not exquisite. You can criticise this team for not getting it right, for not winning, because it's football and you win, draw or lose, but you can't say anything about their attitude, which has been exemplary for the last five years.
"It seems to me that it was unnecessary to question the work and effort of this staff."
