Atletico's fading title hopes stunted again
Atletico Madrid's fading hopes of winning the LaLiga title suffered another blow after being held to a goalless draw away to relegation-threatened Deportivo Alaves.
Julian Alvarez was dismissed for planting a high boot on Facundo Garces, but the red card was overturned after the referee consulted the video assistant referee's pitchside monitor in an uneventful first half.
Diego Simeone made five changes in the second half in a bid to shake the game up, but Atletico was unable to find a decisive goal.
Kike Garcia almost grabbed a late winner for the hosts but saw his low effort palmed away by Jan Oblak as Alaves moved up to 16th and three points clear of the relegation places.
Simeone bemoaned Atletico Madrid's attacking performance after the match.
"What we all saw was a flat first half from both sides, with no team play or shots on goal. We played in the middle of the pitch, without danger," Simeone said.
"In the second half we went from less to more, with more bravery in the crosses, crossing more, with more combinations at speed.
"We were left with a draw because we couldn't finish the chances we had and neither could they.
"In football you don't just win when you play the last teams in the table, you have to play well, be convincing, when you feel like it and when you don't."
