Madrid (AFP)

Atletico Madrid slowed down: "Colchoneros" were held back by Celta Vigo (0-0) on Saturday for the fifth day of the Spanish Championship, chaining a third official match without a win and missing the opportunity to settle in front of Sevilla, opposite Real Madrid on Sunday.

At the Metropolitano stadium, Diego Simeone's team has multiplied the banderillas despite the absence of the Frenchman Thomas Lemar, package. But the Madrid club has stumbled on many occasions on the excellent goalkeeper Ruben Blanco, impassable.

Defeated by Real Sociedad last weekend in Liga (2-0), then neutralized by Juventus Wednesday (2-2) in the Champions League, Atlético marks a little after its start of the season with three gun wins in three games.

In the standings, the "Atleti" (2nd, 10 pts) remains behind Sevilla FC (1st, 10 pts), opposite Sunday Real (4th, 8 pts). Villarreal, winner of Valladolid 2-0, is tentatively third (8 pts), pending the duel Saturday night between the promoted Grenada (7th, 7 pts) and the outgoing champion Barcelona (6th, 7 pts).

- Failed -

Is Atlético paying for its changes in the offseason? The Madrid club, which has renewed its staff in depth and left cadres like Antoine Griezmann, seems to know some unusual failures, especially in the offensive game.

On Saturday, rookie rookie Joao Félix was not successful, despite several frank opportunities: a closed-angle attempt pushed back by the goalkeeper (29th), a volley wide above (31st) and a deflected shot (52nd). The Portuguese prodigy (19 years) has also given up his place twenty minutes from the end to Alvaro Morata, back from injury, and did not do much better.

It must also be said that the guardian of Celta was in a state of grace. Ruben Blanco tripled (3rd, 29th, 52nd) to disgust the attacking opponents, and the striking shot of the excellent Brazilian side Renan Lodi was close to his post (84th).

It is annoying for Atlético, who has copiously dominated and who will have to start again on Wednesday on the Mallorcan lawn. Time is running out: in a week the Madrid derby is facing Real and the dynamic "rojiblanca" seems to have suddenly slipped ...

© 2019 AFP