Simeone: Sometimes you play well and go out; I prefer to play badly and go through Atletico Madrid Discussed overall performance

Atletico Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey to Girona on away goals after a crazy match on Wednesday night, with Diego Simeone making it clear that his players gave their all.

It finished 3-3 at the Wanda Metropolitano as Atleti drew 3-3, having drawn 1-1 away at the Estadi Montilivi in the first leg.

"It was a beautiful match, a classic cup game," said Simeone.

"We had the intention of winning at all times.

"We got an early goal [through Nikola Kalinic] and had chances to extend our lead.

"Girona's forceful nature was their greatest ally.

"Congratulations to Girona - we gave everything, we continued to go for the comeback, but the 3-3 hurt us."

The Argentine continued to make a point that his side tried their best, despite the elimination.

"I say to the fans what they saw: a side that gave everything," he responded when asked about what he would say to Atleti's supporters.

"The intention was always to win the game.

"Sometimes you play well and do not advance [to the next round]; I prefer to play badly and always go through."

Simeone was asked a question about Alvaro Morata and not starting Antoine Griezmann, but he did not want to talk about the former.

"We are not going to talk about Morata because he is not with us," he continued.

"We understood that from the beginning of the match, we would be alright with [Thomas] Lemar and Kalinic as we gave rest to Griezmann.

"In the second half [Griezmann] came on and made it 3-2."