Diego Simeone: 'Atletico Madrid must be more alert away from home'

Diego Simeone has admitted that Atletico Madrid must remain more focused in away matches after suffering a surprise 3-0 loss at Real Sociedad.

La Liga's second-placed side are now 12 points off top spot following Thursday's heavy reverse at Anoeta, leaving them without three points on their travels since February.

Atletico's next away game comes against Arsenal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie next week, and Simeone acknowledges that an improvement is required if his side are to have any hope of progressing.

"We have to take a good look at our away form and be more alert and attentive because we are letting ourselves down on the road," he told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"We did not play a good first half. We improved at the start of the second half, but we did not have the consistency to get closer on the scoreboard. We have to look at what happened, but congratulate Real Sociedad on their deserved win."

Atletico have lost three and drawn one of their last four away matches, including a 1-0 defeat at Sporting Lisbon last time out in the Europa League.