Leganes frustrate Atletico in stalemate
Result means Diego Simeone's side fall to third in the league table, a point behind second-placed Sevilla
Leganes' defender from Spain Raul Garcia Carnero (L) and Leganes' defender from Greece Joseba Zaldua Bengoetxea (R) vie with Atletico Madrid's forward from Argentina Angel Correa during the Spanish league football match Club Deportivo Leganes SAD vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Madrid on September 30, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
MADRID:
Atletico Madrid's poor week following their Champions League defeat by Chelsea continued as they lost more ground in the La Liga title race in a 0-0 draw at modest Madrid neighbours Leganes on Saturday.
But for a brilliant second-half save from Jan Oblak to deny Nabil El Zhar, Leganes could even have registered their first ever win over Atletico in the top flight.
A third draw in seven games this season sees Atletico fall a point behind Sevilla, who moved up to second earlier with a 2-0 win over Malaga.
Barca can extend their lead at the top to five points with victory at home to Las Palmas on Sunday.
Real Madrid are also in action on Sunday when they host Espanyol.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone made four changes from the team that started against Chelsea in an attempt to refresh his side.
However, the visitors still looked leaden-footed and confused by a change of system to three at the back.
And Simeone blamed his side's effort against the English champions as well as a demanding early season schedule that has seen Atletico play just three of their nine games so far this season at their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
"The boys have played a lot of games in quick succession since the last international break," said Simeone. "They are human, their work is to run hard and it isn't easy to respond 100 percent in every game. Given the difficulties of all the away games we've had, the Champions League games and having to get used to our new home, I think we are in good shape."
El Zhar was introduced at the break and quickly stung the palms of Oblak.
However, it took a sensational one-handed stop from the Slovenian on the hour mark to turn El Zhar's next effort over for a corner.
Despite Atletico's lack of cutting edge in the final third, Simeone took the strange decision to replace top scorer Antoine Griezmann with full-back Sime Vrsaljko 25 minutes from time.
"Griezmann has given us a bad habit of always relying on him to resolve our problems going forward," added Simeone. "The rest of the strikers and the team have to help him to play closer to the area and create more chances so it doesn't solely fall on him."
However, without the Frenchman the best Atletico could muster was a Diego Godin header that Cuellar comfortably turned behind.
A point continues Leganes' fine start to the season as they move level with Real Madrid on 11 points in sixth.
Atletico Madrid's poor week following their Champions League defeat by Chelsea continued as they lost more ground in the La Liga title race in a 0-0 draw at modest Madrid neighbours Leganes on Saturday.
But for a brilliant second-half save from Jan Oblak to deny Nabil El Zhar, Leganes could even have registered their first ever win over Atletico in the top flight.
A third draw in seven games this season sees Atletico fall a point behind Sevilla, who moved up to second earlier with a 2-0 win over Malaga.
I am very happy to return home, says Atletico's Costa
Barca can extend their lead at the top to five points with victory at home to Las Palmas on Sunday.
Real Madrid are also in action on Sunday when they host Espanyol.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone made four changes from the team that started against Chelsea in an attempt to refresh his side.
However, the visitors still looked leaden-footed and confused by a change of system to three at the back.
Barcelona continue perfect start to La Liga
And Simeone blamed his side's effort against the English champions as well as a demanding early season schedule that has seen Atletico play just three of their nine games so far this season at their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
"The boys have played a lot of games in quick succession since the last international break," said Simeone. "They are human, their work is to run hard and it isn't easy to respond 100 percent in every game. Given the difficulties of all the away games we've had, the Champions League games and having to get used to our new home, I think we are in good shape."
El Zhar was introduced at the break and quickly stung the palms of Oblak.
However, it took a sensational one-handed stop from the Slovenian on the hour mark to turn El Zhar's next effort over for a corner.
Despite Atletico's lack of cutting edge in the final third, Simeone took the strange decision to replace top scorer Antoine Griezmann with full-back Sime Vrsaljko 25 minutes from time.
"Griezmann has given us a bad habit of always relying on him to resolve our problems going forward," added Simeone. "The rest of the strikers and the team have to help him to play closer to the area and create more chances so it doesn't solely fall on him."
However, without the Frenchman the best Atletico could muster was a Diego Godin header that Cuellar comfortably turned behind.
A point continues Leganes' fine start to the season as they move level with Real Madrid on 11 points in sixth.