Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has urged fans to stand by his players.

Simeone admits they battled to overcome Levante in the Copa del Rey this week.

But he reasoned this morning: "What we need is to have the commitment from the game. We didn't have a good time in the first half, we talked at halftime and we saw that the team wasn't playing well, not because of the system, but because we didn't play football, we didn't show the hierarchy that the players have.

"In the second a different face was seen. I see that from the World Cup here there is an intention to reverse situations, such as against Levante. I hope that fans are close to the team, that they see they are tired, with efforts every three days.

"Nobody cares but it is what it is. We need the fans. The managers have to be close, the coaching staff, give their best version and the players too.'