Report: Atlético fail to win in Vitoria again | OneFootball

A terrible start to the season for Atlético, who have only managed to accumulate two points out of a possible nine, and have also failed to secure a win against Alavés. Cholo is still struggling to find the key to making the machinery work. It's very telling that Alex Baena's absence has had a negative impact on the results, as well as the lack of success in front of goal. In three matches, only three goals have been scored.

In three matches, there have been leads in all three, and all three leads have been lost, without finding a way to reverse the situation. Moreover, in the last two matches, after scoring very early, the equalizer also came quickly.

In Vitoria, we witnessed a match with a script similar to what we saw a week ago at the Metropolitano. An early goal was scored, thanks to a combative Giuliano Simeone, who, in a play on the right wing, ended up with the ball at his feet and scored in the sixth minute of the match.

A very good start to the match for our team had us very hopeful. But the joy was short-lived, following the script seen against Elche, who quickly equalized the match. On this occasion, after a corner and a rehearsed play, a penalty by Sorloth led to Carlos Vicente's goal from the penalty spot.

The score was tied at one goal each and it was only the thirteenth minute of the match. Everything was still to play for and Atleti failed to score again, just as they couldn't score a second goal in Barcelona against Espanyol, or at home against Elche.

There were few chances from that moment until halftime, with Cardoso's yellow card standing out, reminiscent of what happened in the first match and how he left the game at halftime. It didn't happen in Vitoria, but he was substituted in the second half.

Greater dominance from Atlético without reward

In the second half, we saw how the match was interrupted by an incident in the stands, where medical staff assisted a fan who had to be evacuated from the stadium, causing the match to be extended by fifteen minutes.

We also saw greater dominance from Atleti, which ultimately went unrewarded. Despite having clear chances to score, especially with the introduction of Griezmann, who played a very active role in the team's play.

The Frenchman moved to the left and joined forces with the spider in that area and soon began to send balls into the box and connecting with the Norwegian forward who came close to scoring. Griezmann made a good impact on the team, even hitting the post with the goal almost empty, after a misjudged corner by Sivera.

But while Alavés didn't create chances and real danger to Oblak's goal, the truth is that Atleti didn't either and limited themselves to sending balls into the box, even without the spider, Almada and company on the field found solutions with Ruggieri, Raspadori and Koke on the pitch.

Three matches and two points, no victories and an international break that invites reflection, like the role of Sorloth, who is not turning out to be the number nine that Atleti needs, the role of Almada, who is a player of incredible potential, but who wears himself out running all over the field, without a well-defined position, the impact of Baena on his return after the break (and his position with Almada, so that they complement each other in the best possible way) and better management of the game's tempos for the following matches, as three leads have been diluted in these three rounds. Not to mention the state of play of Julián who is not at his best at this start of the season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.