Diego Simeone upbeat despite L'Hospitalet shock

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has played down the significance of his side's failure to beat third-tier L'Hospitalet in Thursday's 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey.

The Spanish champions took a 3-0 aggregate victory into their last-32 second leg clash at the Vicente Calderon, but twice threw away a lead against the Segunda B outfit to progress with a 5-2 win overall.

Mario Mandzukic scored twice, with Ruben Alcaraz initially drawing level with a deflected effort that looped over Jan Oblak, before the midfielder struck a 35-yard equaliser late on.

It was Atleti's last game at the Calderon before their winter break, and the Argentine says that his troops' near-immaculate home record in 2014 compensates for last night's blemish.

"In this year we only lost a game at home in the Calderon," he told reporters. "That speaks volumes of the work of our players. Hopefully we can continue in the same way.

"With regards to the match, I'm happy. We started the match well and score, but in the second half the boys of L'Hospitalet reacted well. They had some luck with the first goal and the second was a great goal."

Atletico face cross-city rivals Real Madrid in a last-16 tie in the New Year.