Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to criticise his players after their home collapse to Barcelona on Sunday night.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone remains optimistic about the club's title chances after Sunday's 4-2 LaLiga defeat to Barcelona, saying the loss was not down to bad luck but lack of consistency.

Atletico is a point behind both Barcelona and Madrid in the three-way fight for the trophy, with Barca having played a game less. So Diego Simeone’s team can hardly afford to lose on Sunday, but must quickly get over another excruciating defeat to its fierce crosstown rival in the Champions League on Wednesday.