Atletico still a 'long way' from Barca after closing gap to nine points, admits Simeone

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone insists they have not sparked the La Liga title race back into life despite closing the gap on leaders Barcelona to nine points this past weekend.

Barcelona dropped their first points since December 2 when they were held to a 1-1 draw against local rivals Espanyol and Atletico Madrid took advantage by beating third-placed Valencia on Sunday night.

Angel Correa's long-range strike in the second half was enough to settle a close encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano and move his side two points closer to the runaway leaders.

But following the final whistle, Simeone was adamant that Barcelona will need to drop more points before he even starts to consider the prospect of delivering their first La Liga title since 2014.

'We are still a long way from that, we are focused on growing as a team,' Simeone told reporters after the match.

'I will be leaving the stadium tonight thinking about the hard work of my players, how they went about their jobs and their commitment - as a coach, that gives you a lot of satisfaction.'

While the 1-0 victory was a typically tight affair, Simeone was left unhappy after his team were not awarded a penalty when Valencia goalkeeper Neto clashed with his defender Diego Godin in the box.

The horrific incident left Godin missing several teeth and Simeone joked that one of his players would have to be 'killed' for the referee to blow his whistle.

'They will have to kill us for us to be awarded a penalty, if that was not one for Godin,' the Argentine continued.

'I am not sure on the diagnosis but the doctor will know more tomorrow. It is not easy to make so many changes in defence but our reinforcements did very well.'t