Diego Simeone refused to criticise his Atletico Madrid players in their first defeat of the season, saying that they tried everything.
The Madrid side fell to a first reverse in all competitions since April 11 on Saturday night at Mestalla, as Valencia ran out 2-0 winners.
“We have our minds at ease because we have tried and cannot have regrets,” commented Simeone afterwards.
“Valencia were better in taking their chances. They were more accurate than us, but we set up for football and the depth to the play in the first half can be described as ‘light’.
“I expected much more aggression and intensity, otherwise every game would have been like that first half. But, I am calm, so are my players.”
Simeone explained his involvement with the match official when cohort Mauricio Pellegrino was sent to the stands just before half-time.
“This is a colleague and I asked the referee not to expel him, especially because he had little time on the game.”
