Francisco apologises for Almeria exit

Almeria boss Francisco has apologised to the club's supporters following their exit from the Copa del Rey last-16 stage to Racing de Santander on Tuesday.

The La Liga side were knocked out 3-1 on aggregate after the Segunda B side scored twice without reply in the second leg last night.

"It's lamentable because in the end we thought we were going to reach the quarter-finals, but we've been knocked out by a Segunda B side," he told reporters at a press conference.

"First I want to apologise. This wasn't a competition we were going to win but we should have reached the next round. I'm sorry that we won't."

Almeria return to La Liga action away to high-flying Villarreal on Sunday.