Lacklustre Atletico held at Alaves

ATLETICO Madrid’s troubles away from home continued when they were held to a goalless draw at Alaves on Saturday, dropping points on the road for a second consecutive week and losing Uruguay international Jose Maria Gimenez to injury.

Even with the King’s Cup semifinal first leg against Barcelona coming up on Wednesday, Diego Simeone fielded a full-strength team against Alaves but he watched his side get outplayed by the Basques, who are without a win in the league in 2017.

Alaves defender Victor Laguardia struck the underside of the bar with a hooked volley in a strong first-half display from the home side, Brazilian forward Deyverson somehow heading over the bar on the rebound from close range.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, who like Atletico also booked their place in the Cup semifinals last week, continued to dominate proceedings after the break and midfielders Victor Camarasa and Edgar Mendez both spurned chances while Atletico loanee Theo Hernandez was denied a goal against his parent club by goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.

Atletico midfielder Nicolas Gaitan had a glorious chance to snatch what would have been a scarcely deserved win for the visitors when he found himself through on goal but failed to dribble around keeper Fernando Pacheco.

Simeone’s side have won just one of their last four away games in the league in what has been their worst campaign since the Argentine coach took charge in December 2011.

Earlier on Saturday, Villarreal picked up their first win in seven games in all competitions by beating basement club Granada 2-0 at home

Eibar got over their King’s Cup exit to Atletico by beating Deportivo La Coruna 3-1, while Celta Vigo followed up their conquest of Real Madrid in the Cup by winning 2-0 at Leganes. – Reuters