Diego Simeone has insisted that Atletico Madrid remain in a good position to achieve their goals this season following the 1-1 draw with Valencia.
Losing ground on Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent weeks has seen hopes of a successful title defence fade, but Simeone believes that his side are strong enough to hold off Valencia and Sevilla in the battle to qualify for the Champions League, despite seeing victory snatched away by Shkodran Mustafi's late equaliser at the Vicente Calderon.
"La Liga is still long, and our championship is still against Sevilla and Valencia, who we have not been able to beat," the Argentine told reporters.
"We have a point advantage now and must look after it. We will keep competing for what we have been looking for all season.
"The aim was to reinvent ourselves after lots of changes in the squad last summer, and to keep competing. Hopefully when La Liga ends we will be in the position the club wants."
Atletico remain a point ahead of Valencia, but boast a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Sevilla.
Callum Mulvihill
