Diego Simeone says his Atletico Madrid side deserved to draw 1-1 at Deportivo La Coruna on Friday.
Atletico would have gone top of La Liga with a win but Lucas Perez equalised with 12 minutes remaining to cancel out a first-half volley from Tiago.
"A goal for each side, so I think that this result has been fair," said Simeone.
"In the first half we did very well."
Deportivo were grateful for a mistake from Jose Maria Gimenez, who dallied to allow Perez his goal, a sixth of the season for the striker.
"These are details of football," he said.
With Real and Barcelona both in action on Saturday, Simeone's men could ill afford to drop two points.
Atletico midfielder Koke added: "We really wanted to sleep as leaders, but this is a very long season. We will do our best to be up there."
