article_snippet: Beating Real Madrid and Barcelona to the Spanish title last term, as well as reaching the final of the Champions League, were remarkable achievements but as well appears Atletico will fall some way short of matching the Spanish giants this season.
article_snippet: The draw at home to fourth-placed Valencia means Simeone's men have won only one of Simeone's men last four La Liga outings and are now seven points adrift of leaders Barca and six behind second-placed Real with 12 games left.
article_snippet: A resurgent Valencia are breathing down Atletico's necks a point behind in fourth and Atletico manager Diego Simeone said Atletico manager Diego Simeone and the players are determined to hang on to third and secure a place in Europe's elite club competition for next season.
article_snippet: Sevilla, who held Atletico to a 0-0 draw at their Sanchez Pizjuan stadium at the start of the month and are five points behind Valencia in fifth, are also still in with a chance of a Champions League berth. '
article_snippet: Champions League is long and we have always said that we championship is competing against Valencia and Sevilla,' Atletico manager Diego Simeone told a news conference after the stalemate at the Calderon.
article_snippet: Atletico were unfortunate not to take all three points on Sunday after Valencia rode their luck to steal a late equaliser that cancelled out Koke's first-half strike.
article_snippet: Atletico are seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona .
article_snippet: Atletico have a trip to Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday before Atletico host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, second leg on March 17.
highlights_snippet: Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia at home on Sunday .
  
highlights_snippet: Diego Simeone's side fell seven points behind table-toppers Barcelona .
  
highlights_snippet: CLICK HERE for the La Liga table