Oblak laments lack of consistency as Atletico's title hopes fade
A lack of consistency has seen Atletico Madrid drop off the pace in LaLiga's title race, so says goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Jan Oblak rued Atletico Madrid's lack of consistency after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Espanyol.
Atleti are now six points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona after their winless run in Spain's top flight stretched to three matches.
Javi Puado's 71st-minute penalty cancelled out Cesar Azpilicueta's opener on Saturday, meaning Atleti are on their longest winless streak in the league since November 2022.
And goalkeeper Oblak suggested their title hopes are now all but over, with Atleti having also exited the Champions League earlier this month at the hands of rivals Real Madrid.
"Two important points have slipped away. It's a strange moment, a difficult moment that we're not able to win," he said.
"We are not having the necessary consistency to be able to fight for LaLiga."
Simeone, meanwhile, rued Clement Lenglet's challenge on Leandro Cabrera, which led to the penalty for Espanyol's equaliser.
"The draw was fair," Simeone told reporters.
"We controlled the game better in the first half, we were doing well, we had good control of it.
"The penalty came from an isolated play and they scored the goal and the game went into a different territory, they had the home enthusiasm with their people to win.
"We know that in the season there are good moments, regular ones, bad ones. You have to know how to get through them and compete until the end."
Atleti will look to bounce back when they host Barca in the return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals next week, having drawn the first leg 4-4.
"We have a very nice game on Wednesday and we hope to put all our energy and ability into playing a great game," Simeone added.