Atletico achieve unwanted first in Wanda Metropolitano draw

Atletico Madrid failed to register an on-target attempt in a LaLiga game at the Wanda Metropolitano for the first time as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Villarreal.

Luis Suarez made his first home start for Atleti but Diego Simeone’s side struggled in attack, leading to them drawing a blank for a second successive outing.

Atletico were also shut out by Huesca in midweek, meaning they have had two 0-0 results in the opening three games of a league season for the first time in the competition’s history.

Yet Simeone, who had seen his side open the 2020-21 campaign with a 6-1 thrashing of Granada, is not too concerned by the issue, praising his players for their attitude on Saturday.

“Sometimes it is difficult to explain this type of situation in which with the intentions the team had, we could not generate opportunities,” the Atletico boss said.

“I have to stay with the good, though, and in general I like the intention and the attitude. The results are not those that we wanted, but I like the attitude.

“When it is like that you have to have patience to translate it into goals.”

4 – Under Diego Simeone, Atlético de Madrid have failed to register a single shot on target in a LaLiga game for the fourth time and first at Wanda Metropolitano. Cold. pic.twitter.com/KBrSiuqDuL

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 3, 2020

Atletico had 13 attempts but failed to work visiting goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, meaning – for the fourth time in Simeone’s reign – they did not muster a shot on target in a LaLiga fixture.

Suarez had three efforts before being replaced in the 70th minute by Diego Costa, part of a triple substitution by the Atleti boss that failed to inspire a late push for victory.

“I think that at all times the attitude and predisposition to try to hurt them was there,” Simeone said.

“But then a bad touch or a bad pass to finish cost us, particularly when teams close very well, as Huesca and Villarreal did.

“You have to look for alternatives when presented with this scenario. We had nine corners and they had one, we will have to take better advantage of set-piece opportunities.”