Atletico Madrid Boss Diego Simeone Upbeat Despite Villarreal Setback

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said he is "going to stick with the positives" after his side slipped up at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday to draw 1-1 with a well drilled Villarreal side. 

Angel Correa opened the scoring for Atleti on the hour mark with a great goal beating Mariano Barbosa at his near post, but Carlos Bacca's late header from a corner meant the sides had to share the points.

Speaking to the club website, Simeone said: "I think that out of our last few matches, this is the best one in terms of everyone's individual performance - Correa, Gabi, Thomas, Savic and Juanfran."

The goalscorer Correa deputised for the injured Yannick Carrasco on the wing and was magnificent all game with his willingness to run at the Yellow Submarine's defence.

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Villarreal stood firm for 90 minutes and looked well disciplined under newly appointed manager Javi Calleja, but Simeone believes Atleti had the better opportunities.

"I think we had chances to win the match. Referring to our previous matches when we were in the lead, I think Villarreal attacked very well, but we had chances to decide the match."

The draw leaves Atletico in fourth place in La Liga, and with Real Madrid still yet to travel to Girona on Sunday, the gap between the top three and Los Rojiblancos could be widened to three points.

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The Atletico Madrid boss remained optimistic, saying: "Sure the point may not be enough, but I'm proud of the intensity, our fight and the defensive awareness of Gabi, Saul, Thomas and Correa who are in a great moment. If we continue to play like this, we will be closer to what we're looking for."

Atleti will look to pick up their poor run of form as they welcome Champions League minnows FK Qarabag to the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday for the reverse fixture of their surprise defeat against the Azerbaijani team last match-week.