Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simone has shrugged off criticism over their recent form.
Los Rojiblancos could only manage a draw against Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday which left them outside the Champions League places in LaLiga Santander.
"It's an opinion, I respect it," Simeone said when asked about his critics ahead of Atletico's Champions League game with Bayer Leverkusen.
"We've always worked hard, we keep working to improve.
"The team hasn't been consistent, but we've had our [good] moments in every game, against Getafe, Leganes, Celta Vigo... we have to look for [consistency] and keep trying, [Alvaro] Morata had chances, [Diego] Costa too.
"We have to threaten the goal. You have to live with possible down spells because there's an opponent."