Simeone brushes talk of title nerves after slip-up
Diego Simeone does not believe Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw at Levante was the result of nervousness at being the favourite for the LaLiga title.
Atletico is six points clear of Real Madrid with a game in hand but they will be disappointed that the advantage is not eight after spurning several chances on Thursday (AEDT).
The visitor fell behind to Enis Bardhi's 17th-minute opener before Marcos Llorente levelled matters with a deflected long-range effort.
Simeone's men were in the ascendancy thereafter and Angel Correa should have put them in front shortly after the second-half restart.
However, he blazed over an open goal with a remarkable miss, but Simeone believes a point apiece was a fair outcome for two teams that will meet again on Sunday.
"No, I don't think it [being favourites] can generate nervousness," Simeone replied when asked if nerves were to blame.
"We find ourselves with a tough opponent who is doing things well. They have improved defensively, well organised and with good ball output.
"In the second half we came out well, we had very clear chances. A fair draw for two teams that played a good game.
"We didn't have to win and we could have lost it in the shot from the end from [Carlos] Clerc."
