Atletico
Madrid dropped points against a newly-promoted side for the second time in a
week, drawing 0-0 with capital city neighbours Leganes after last
Sunday's 1-1 stalemate with Alaves.
Not even
the return of Antoine Griezmann could inspire the Champions League runners-up
to a win in Leganes' first ever home LaLiga match, with goalkeeper Jon Serantes
putting in a great performance.
The
first half followed a similar pattern to the opening period of last weekend's
draw, with Los Rojiblancos spending most of their time camped around their
opponents' penalty area, but unable to progress any further.
Lega set
up in a 4-5-1 formation, but with Ruben and Alberto Perez dropping back it was
often a 5-4-1 and it frustrated Los Colchoneros as much as it had troubled
Celta Vigo on Monday when the LaLiga newboys won 1-0.
Saul
Niguez saw an early header fly just over the bar, while Diego Godin did
likewise shortly afterwards from a corner, before a couple of volleys gave
Leganes another scare.
A
thumping effort from Saul from the edge of the area was well-blocked by Rico,
while Serantes denied Griezmann a highlight reel goal by palming away his
first-time volley from a long Gabi pass.
The main
difference between the first half of this match and its equivalent last week
was that Atletico did not shoot from outside the box once - compared to seven
in last week's first 45 minutes.
There
was a clear mandate to manufacture better quality chances before opting for a
pop from distance, but the new approach was just as ineffective.
With the
opening ticks of the second half clock Kevin Gameiro charged forward and
slinked between two defenders through the narrowest of spaces, before firing a
shot at goal - which was pushed to safety by the home shot-stopper.
Despite
that encouraging piece of play, the club's marquee summer signing was hooked
just before the hour mark, with Fernando Torres coming off the bench against
Leganes - just as he did when he made his debut against Los Pepineros in May
2001.
Atletico
won 1-0 that day 15 years ago and would have happily welcomed a repeat result,
but it was not to be.
Godin
thought he had achieved the breakthrough, but his slotted finish was -
correctly - chalked off for offside.
Yannick
Carrasco was introduced and nearly troubled the scoreboard, but the excellent
Serantes denied him again, as he did with a Torres stoppage time header to
secure the point.
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