They are eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Getafe on Thursday.

Playing their third game in six days and with a much anticipated derby at Santiago Bernabeu against Madrid on Sunday, Simeone decided to rest several key starters including forwards Álvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo de Paul.

Yet, Atletico dominated proceedings from early on and defender Reinildo Mandava put them ahead with a towering header from a Rodrigo Riquelme free kick in the 35th minute but a fine first-half strike from the edge of the box by Álvaro García levelled the scores seven minutes later.