Football
ESPN staff 9y

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid's Sociedad defeat 'came at a good time'

#INSERT type:image caption:Simeone saw his side beaten by managerless Real Sociedad. END#

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has said other La Liga results at the weekend meant his side's defeat to Real Sociedad was not the worst of setbacks.

Imanol Agirretxe headed a late winner as managerless Sociedad claimed a shock 2-1 victory over 10-man Atletico in a bad-tempered game that saw Atletico's Guilherme Siqueira sent off.

But Simeone, who guided his side to the title and the Champions League final last season, said sides such as Valencia and Sevilla are their real rivals -- and neither of them won.

"I'm happy because it's a good round [of results] for us. Valencia and Sevilla drew, and in that regard the defeat comes at a good time," he told AS. "It was a very entertaining, fast-moving game. We started well, were the better team and went ahead, but Real responded well.

"They gradually became the better team and when Siqueira was sent off they played with more intensity until they got their second goal."

Asked about the dismissal of Siqueira for two yellow cards soon after half-time, Simeone said: "It's a match situation, and obviously he was eager to get to the ball.

"But the speed of the game allows these things to be seen. It [the second challenge] was late and it was part of the game. I've nothing more to say."

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