Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone was proud of his team's efforts in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at home to Barcelona despite a 1-0 defeat on Wednesday, meaning they lost 5-4 on aggregate.

Having also been knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, a six-match winless run has seen them drop back in the LaLiga title race as well – they trail the leaders by nine points.

Simeone, though, said he was content with his team's performance.

"The team has competed very well so far, in the Champions League we have competed very well, in the cup too," he said.

"We are having a good league season and we will continue, approaching it match by match. We are trying to keep improving to get closer and closer to the teams above us and to accept the place we are.

"I have no other thought than to continue with the same work, focusing on continuing in the best way possible in what is ahead of us in LaLiga, with our focus on Sevilla who are our next rival."

Despite the disappointment in recent weeks, which has seen the club exit both cup competitions and their realistic title ambitions fade, perspective has been key according to the Argentine.

"In football there are good moments and others that are not so good," he said.

"There are moments when you control the game and others when you control the opponent. During the season, you have to know how to manage the times you are going to have – good, regular, bad – and let's hope game by game to finish in the best possible way.

"We didn't play a good game today but that is nothing to be sorry about. There are no reproaches, no complaints as their competitive spirit and desire were always there, all the players are giving everything they can give. I hope to continue in the same way."

Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on 26 April, while Atletico Madrid's next game is away to Sevilla on Sunday.