Diego Simeone looks ahead to Barcelona "final"

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone refused to criticise his players following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Malaga at the Vicente Calderon.

As it transpired, victory for Atletico would have secured the title after Barcelona slipped up away to Elche, but the capital outfit could not find a winner on their own patch.

Now Simeone has switched his attention to next week's title decider against Barcelona, where a point will be enough for his side to secure their first La Liga trophy in almost 20 years.

"It's annoying when you give everything the game demands, because the players gave everything. Now there's a 50-50 chance, just like in every final," he told reporters at a press conference.

Real Madrid, however, are now mathematically out of the race.