´The responsibility is entirely mine´ – Simeone shoulders blame for Atletico´s losing streak

Diego Simeone shouldered the blame for Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Elche in LaLiga, but remains optimistic they will turn their form around soon.

Nico Gonzalez gave Atletico an early lead, but David Affengruber and Andre Silva turned things around by the 33rd minute, with the latter converting a penalty after Thiago Almada saw red for a last-man foul.

Gonzalez restored parity straight from the restart with a fine solo effort, but after Alex Baena saw a second-half goal disallowed for offside, Silva netted the winner in the 75th minute to move Elche out of the relegation zone.

Atletico, who were beaten on penalties by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final at the weekend, have now lost their last four matches in LaLiga.

It is their longest losing run since suffering defeat in four straight games in December 2021, while they have now lost 25 points from winning positions in LaLiga this term, more than any other team.

Despite their disappointing run, Simeone refused to be downhearted and said he is confident Atleti will soon regain their groove.

“We started the game well; we believed we could compete,” Simeone said. “We gave everything to at least get a point, but the team couldn’t win, and the responsibility is entirely mine.

“I’m always optimistic about what’s to come; I have absolute faith in them. They’ll get through these situations we’re going through. I have complete confidence in them.”

Atletico accumulated just 1.0 expected goals (xG) from their six attempts, with only one of those on target in the second half – Antoine Griezmann’s only chance off the bench was smothered by Matias Dituro.

Gonzalez did his best to change their fortunes, but it ultimately fell short. He has scored two braces in his last five matches in LaLiga, one more than in his entire previous career in Europe’s five major leagues (one in 177 appearances).

“He did a good job,” Simeone added when asked about Gonzalez. “All 10 of them worked very well, competing with everything they had, but it wasn’t enough for us to draw.”