Diego Simeone remained positive despite Atletico Madrid's club record 15 wins in all competitions coming to an end against Leganes.
Matija Nastasic's header four minutes after half-time proved the difference at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque, despite Atletico dominating much of the match.
Simeone watched as his side generated an expected goals (xG) total of 2.52 from their 19 attempts, compared to their opponents' 0.41 from their nine shots.
Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann both hit the woodwork, with the latter missing a penalty late in the match and dragging his effort wide of Marko Dmitrovic's net.
“The team generated enough situations to have had a different score,” Simeone told a press conference.
“We started with a lot of energy, with key plays where we could have found the goal.
“In the second half they made good use of the dead ball, and after they scored they started to defend better and with humility, and we found it difficult to overcome that.
“We got that penalty, but Leganes did very well. It was our turn to lose.”
Simeone insisted he was not worried about the impact of the result on his players' mentality, having last lost a match against Real Betis in October.
The defeat leaves them at the top of the LaLiga standings, with second-placed Real Madrid coming into action against Las Palmas on Sunday and sitting just a point behind them.
Barcelona, meanwhile, were unable to capitalize on Atletico's misstep after drawing 1-1 with Getafe at the Estadio Coliseum.
Atletico's winning run in all competitions was the longest in the club's history, with Simeone eclipsing his own record of thirteen consecutive wins between 2011 and 2012.
“When you get used to winning, it's harder to lose because it's a lot of fun. Obviously it hurts to lose, but it's part of it and you have to accept it,” Simeone said.
“We have played fifteen extraordinary matches, with the great joy of having achieved the best record in Atletico's history. The journey has been fantastic and I can only say positive things about the enormous efforts of my players to achieve that.
“Today I stand by their performance, which was good and I hope we can continue to play well in the future.”
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