Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Diego Simeone pleased despite Atletico Madrid draw against Villarreal

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone claimed to be happy with the result after Sunday evening's 0-0 La Liga draw at home to Villarreal.

A tight, tactical encounter at the Estadio Vicente Calderon saw few chances for either side -- with neither goalkeeper having to make a real save over the 90 minutes.

The result means Atletico remain in second place in the Primera Division table, one ahead of neighbours Real Madrid who drew 1-1 at Malaga earlier on Sunday, but a full eight behind leaders Barcelona who are now clear favourites to retain their title.

The Colchoneros coach told his postmatch news conference that he preferred to look on how his team were well clear of fourth-placed Villarreal in their "best of the rest" league.

"Everything in life depends on how you view it," Simeone said. "We are six points ahead of Villarreal and for us that is positive. If you look at the objectives we set at the start of the season, we are well set to achieve them.

"Apart from Barcelona, who are different from the rest, and are difficult for all of us, there is Real Madrid, Sevilla, Athletic [Bilbao]. We all have our needs and it becomes more difficult to achieve your objective."

Atletico had a lot of the ball against a really well-organised Villarreal side, but were unable to find a way through.

"I would have liked to win the game, we tried to go for the three points, but Villarreal have on of the best defences and counter attack well," Simeone said. "In the second half they had their counter-attacks, the came here to try and win the game. We kept the gap with them, and that is something positive."

Atletico are next at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night, and travel to Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu next Saturday afternoon in La Liga.

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