Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to criticise his players despite watching them drop two points in extraordinary fashion in a 1-1 draw against Alaves in their opening La Liga match.
Kevin Gameiro appeared to have atoned for missing two glorious chances earlier in the match by calmly converting a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, one awarded in controversial circumstances after Fernando Torres had tangled with Victor Laguardia on the edge of the box.
That looked set to be the reward Atletico deserved after battering the Alaves goal without reward, but amazingly they conceded an equaliser two minutes later as Manu Garcia drove a long-range shot past Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who had barely had a save to make.
Simeone told his club's official website: "The team showed a good attitude and played with intensity. We tried every way we could to open up the game.
"The team is strong, with lots of enthusiasm and energy.''
Gameiro admitted the game had been bittersweet for him.
The match was his first in La Liga for his new club after signing from Sevilla in the summer and it appeared that the night would end positively after two earlier chances went begging.
He told BeIn Sports: "Two minutes from the final whistle we had scored and we should not be conceding this type of goal, but that's football.
"If I had taken my two chances earlier the game would have been better for us.''
Atletico play another promoted side in Leganes next and Gameiro said: "We will have to work in training on how to win this type of game.''
As well as Gameiro's opportunities, Torres hit the woodwork as he tried to beat Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco at his near post after coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half, and Yannick Carrasco was unlucky when his curling 43rd-minute effort clipped the upright too.
Alaves' goalscoring hero Manu felt his side deserved to take a point after holding their illustrious opponents at bay until the dubious late penalty award.
He told La Liga's official Twitter account: "We took the opportunity and had success . We took a point, and we have worked very hard for it.''