Simeone's low point after Valencia humiliation: "This is the worst Atletico has been in my time here"

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said his team put in their "weakest" performance of his 12-year reign in a 3-0 thrashing by Valencia on Saturday in La Liga.

Los Che have started the season well after flirting with relegation until the final day of the previous campaign, and this was their best performance yet under coach Ruben Baraja.

Simeone has faced many different Valencia coaches over almost 12 years in charge and had only lost twice before this defeat at Mestalla in 28 clashes.

"What everyone saw, Valencia was superior and did what had to be done, we played the weakest game since I arrived at the club and to congratulate the rival, they knew how not to let us progress, to take advantage of the spaces."

Defeat was the worst way for Atletico to prepare for the start of their Champions League campaign on Tuesday at Lazio.

"They deserved to win, we have to congratulate them and we have to look in the mirror. We know we can give a lot more than we gave today. We lacked everything today... we played a very bad game, we lost 3-0 and that hurts a lot."

Atletico suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down without a fight. Spanish striker Hugo Duro, 23, slid in at the near post to fire into the roof of Jan Oblak's net after just five minutes. The forward kept his composure to beat the Slovenian goalkeeper again when sent through on goal by Fran Perez after shrugging off Axel Witsel.

"It was important to win after two defeats and we did it against a great opponent. We may be a small squad but we will give everything."

Javi Guerra struck the third goal with a fine solo move and finish inside Oblak's near post as Los Che continued to dominate. Valencia could have increased their lead but Oblak saved well from Diego Lopez in the final stages, among other openings.

With the Lazio test coming up quickly for Simeone, he knows dwelling too much over the Valencian embarrassment won't do much good.

"I am not at all angry, I know the players we have, the group in the dressing room, but I accept it when we've played a bad match."

Simeone's counterpart Ruben Baraja hopes this precious win will prove a turning point in Valencia's fortunes after years of mismanagement and terrible results.

"I hope that I will have happier days, but yes, I am happy with the club and the result. I'm happy for the fans, my family and friends. I feel everything, and I value everything. The passion is overwhelming. They have been supporting this club through good times and some rotten times - and they will be here for everything that's yet to come. Let us take it day by day. If we do it well we will achieve our goals."

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 5

Friday

Rayo Vallecano - Alaves 2-0 (1-0)

/Palazon 43 pen, De Frutos 82/

Saturday

Ath. Bilbao - Cadiz 3-0 (0-0)

/Guruzeta 66, Villalibre 68, I. Williams 90/

Valencia - Atl. Madrid 3-0 (2-0)

/Duro 5, 34, Guerra 54/

Celta - Mallorca 0-1 (0-0)

/Muriqi 85/

Barcelona - Betis 5-0 (2-0)

/Felix 25, Lewandowski 32, Torres 62, Raphinha 66, Cancelo 81/

Sunday

15.00: (2.65) Getafe (3.10) Osasuna (3.10)

17.15: (1.50) Villareal (4.30) Almeria (6.50)

19.30: (1.60) Sevilla (3.90) Las Palmas (7.00)

22.00: (1.65) Real Madrid (3.70) Sociedad (5.60)

Monday

22.00: (2.60) Granada (3.35) Girona (2.90)

***odds are subject to change