Simeone: We were not clinical enough

12/03/2013 10:09:00 AM

The Argentine was left frustrated that his team was unable to convert their chances against a spirited Real Sociedad side, but refused to blame the referee for the defeat

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone feels his side were not clinical enough during their 1-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Xabi Prieto's strike on 53 minutes was enough to condemn los Rojiblancos to their first home defeat in La Liga this season, and Simeone was left to rue a rare insipid display from his attacking players.

"In the first 20 minutes we looked like scoring. Then our intensity dropped and we lacked precision in the final third," he was quoted as saying by AS. "Real Sociedad defended well and looked dangerous on the break.

"The second half was the same. They scored with their first chance on goal. From then on we showed enough desire but we weren't clinical enough."

Prieto was fortunate to see his goal stand after officials failed to spot a clear offside following Antoine Griezmann's pass, but Simeone insisted the defeat was down to his own side's profligacy rather than a refereeing mistake.

"I'm not here to talk about referees. You [journalists] are always critical of them and I guess you will be on this occasion too," he said.

"They didn't create clear chances, but they took the one that came their way. It's about taking your chances and we couldn't turn pressure into goals."