Ateltico Madrid fell seven points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona on Sunday as Diego Simeone 's reigning Spanish league champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia . Koke drilled Atletico into the lead in the 33rd minute with a fierce low strike from the edge of the area . But Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi headed in a cross that goalkeeper Miguel Moya misjudged in the 78th to deny Simeone 's side a sixth straight home league win . Koke 's fierce low strike was too much for Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves to save . Koke leads the celebrations after putting Atletico into a first-half lead . Koke is mobbed by his team-mates after his goal had put Atletico ahead against rivals Valencia . Shkodran Mustafi ( second right ) headed in Valencia 's equaliser in the 78th minute . Mustafi celebrates his header with Rodrigo Moreno in the draw at the Vicente Calderon . Mustafi 's goal meant Spanish champions Atletico are seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona . The visitors had Javi Fuego sent-off for a second bookable offence in the final moments but held on for the draw . Valencia remain a point behind Ateltico in fourth place . Simeone elected to begin with Mario Mandzukic on the bench , starting with Fernando Torres in the absence of star striker Antoine Griezmann . Torres provided the assist for Koke 's opener , heading down a free kick from Thiago Mendes for the midfielder to pounce upon . Atletico manager Diego Simeone gesticulates to his team during the draw at home to Valencia . Fernando Torres controls the ball and holds off Valencia 's Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi . Atletico midfielder Gabi ( left ) vies for the ball with Valencia defender Jose Gaya during the match . Torres was replaced by Mandzukic on the hour mark and ten minutes later , Thiago hit the crossbar form close range when he should have doubled Atletico 's lead . It was a costly miss as Mustafi levelled on 78 after a free kick hit the crossbar . Barcelona replaced Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 6-1 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier on Sunday .
Koke lashed in for Atletico Madrid after 33 minutes on the edge of the area . Valencia equalised in the 78th through Nicolas Otamendi header . Atletico are now seven points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga .