Simeone: This was Atletico's best away performance... and maybe our best overall Atletic Madrid He lamented the dropping of two points

Atletico Madrid slipped even further behind Barcelona courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Granada on Saturday evening, yet Diego Simeone declared it to be his team's best performance away from home this term.

Renan Lodi's first goal since signing for the Spanish giants was cancelled out in the 67th minute by a Granada equaliser, yet the visitors dominated overall.

"This was our best performance of those away from home and also possibly of those at home too," Simeone explained after the match.

"We were very consistent, especially in the first 30 minutes.

"Granada didn't get close to our penalty area.

"We played a quite complete match, but we had a careless moment in the goal we conceded.

"But the team didn't give up."

Granada are one of the tougher teams in Spain's top flight and the former River Plate coach was quick to praise them rather than criticise his own team.

"I love the atmosphere of this stadium," he said.

"Granada play so intensely, even if they didn't do much in the first half hour.

"They always create a sense of danger, I like that.

"It's good to have competitive teams in LaLiga."

Joao Felix has been struggling with an injury picked up prior to the international break, and was only a second half substitute on Saturday.

"I act as a result of what I see in training," the coach said.

"He has to keep picking up the pace.

"He has great quality and talent and when he is fully fit he will contribute."