Los Rojiblancos were eliminated from the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday (02.04.25) after a 1-0 loss (5-4 on aggregate) but the coach has defended his team's efforts even though they have been knocked out of the Champions League and have fallen off the pace in the La Liga title race in recent weeks.

Simeone said: "Here's what I think: the team, up to now, has competed well.

"We competed well in the Champions League, we competed well in the Copa, and in the league we're having a good season. We'll keep going, trying to keep improving to get closer to the teams above us, and accepting the place that we have."

The loss continued Atletico's recent downturn in form and the Argentine manager conceded that his side were beaten by better opposition.

He said: "In football, sometimes the opponent is better. In the second half, we corrected things, and we could have made it a draw. We competed well, against a team that plays well... They're a great opponent, who at times will be superior to you."

Despite their recent disappointments, Simeone is hoping that Atletico can finish the season strongly.

He said: "In football there are good moments and others that are not so good. There are moments when you control the game and others when you control the opponent. And during the season you have to know how to manage the times you are going to have, good, regular, bad, and let's hope game by game to finish in the best possible way.

"We didn't play a good game today but that is nothing to be sorry about. There are no reproaches, no complaints as their competitive spirit and desire were always there, all the players are giving everything they can give. I hope to continue in the same way."