Madrid (AFP)
First misstep of the season for Atlético Madrid!
The Colchoneros, defending Spanish champions, lost 1-0 to the red lantern, Alavés, on Saturday for the 7th day of Liga, and pass third to three points of Real Madrid (17 pts), hung 0-0 by Villarreal in the evening.
The "Rojiblancos" folded in the 4th minute on a pricked header from captain Victor Laguardia upon receiving a corner kick from Rubern Duarte.
And unlike their last matches in La Liga, this time they never managed to come back.
Led twice against Villarreal before hanging the draw (2-2);
Led to Barcelona against Espanyol before snatching victory (2-1) on the wire, in the 90th + 9 on a goal from Thomas Lemar;
Led to Getafe on Tuesday before snatching again the 2-1 victory at the last minute on a goal from Luis Suarez (90th).
- "Lack of ideas" -
But on Saturday, the Madrilenians did not have the chance to see the tide turn in their favor at the end of the match this time.
In the small stadium of Mendizorroza, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Spanish champion conceded his first setback of the season, three days before an important trip to AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
"It had already happened to us against Espanyol Barcelona and a little against Porto. And today (Saturday), we clearly ran out of ideas. In the second half, the entry of Angel (Correa) made us well, with its overflowing and one-on-one qualities. I don't like teams that lose a lot, because they will end up winning one day. And unfortunately that day has fallen on us ", a late Simeone at a post-match press conference.
Atletico Madrid striker Angel Correa after a missed opportunity against Alavès during their LaLiga match on March 30, 2019 in Vitoria ANDER GILLENEA AFP / Archives
As in Getafe, Simeone did try to upset his scheme, but this time his tactical move did not work.
A symptomatic statistic: Correa was the first to frame a strike from Madrid in the 70th minute.
This is the first victory of the season for the Basques, who overtake Getafe and thus temporarily leave last place in the standings.
- Real are doing nothing -
In the evening, in the shock of the 7th day of La Liga between two ex-coaches of Paris SG, Real Madrid of Carlo Ancelotti was hung 0-0 on his lawn by the Villarreal of Unai Emery, but remains solid leader in front of the Doubles Sevilla FC - Atlético Madrid, tied at 14 points after the success of Andalusians over Espanyol (2-0) in the afternoon.
French Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema faces Villareal defenders Pau Torres (r) and Raul Albiol in their LaLiga match on September 25, 2021 at Estadio Santiago-Bernabeu GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
This is the second draw in 8 matches for Karim Benzema's teammates, after the incredible 3-3 torn from Levante.
And for the first time this season, they haven't scored any goals in those 90 minutes.
Worse, the Merengue conceded the biggest opportunities, but were able to count on a Thibaut Courtois still imperial in his cages to avoid a setback at home.
The Belgian goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois, after the draw (0-0) at home in La Liga against Villareal, on September 25, 2021 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
In the 13th minute, the Belgian goalkeeper repelled a shot from Arnaut Danjuma, who had infiltrated the area.
And Courtois again intervened against the Dutch international in the 55th.
The best chance of a goal for the Madrilenians was this badly apprehended header by Eder Militao on a free kick brushed by Asensio (50th).
Ancelotti did try tactical changes, including the entry into play of agitator Eduardo Camavinga at the break in place of Rodrygo ... but if his team gained in control, however, they failed to score .
Sunday (4:15 p.m. / 2:15 p.m. GMT), FC Barcelona receives Levante at Camp Nou.
For the big comeback in Ansu Fati's group, almost a year after his injury, the Catalans (8th) will already have the virtual obligation to win if they do not want to sink in the first month of competition and increase the threat of eviction hanging over Ronald Koeman.
© 2021 AFP