Diego Simeone insisted Atletico Madrid did not lack intensity after they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at Espanyol that left rivals Real Madrid with a glimmer of hope of leapfrogging them in the table.
An own goal by Atletico captain Diego Godin on the stroke of half-time set Espanyol on their way and a Borja Iglesias double in the second half ensured the visitors' four-match winning streak ended with a heavy loss.
Atletico need a point from either of their final two fixtures against Sevilla and Levante to make sure they finish second in La Liga, and Simeone rejected the suggestion that his players failed to show enough urgency at RCDE Stadium.