Atlético Madrid couldn't pick up three points just three days after losing against Olympiacos in the Champions League. Diego Simeone clearly missed Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic -- out with a nose fracture -- and his men only scored off set pieces. They made a defensive error in the second half too, letting Celta Vigo grab a 2-2 draw.
Atlético Madrid vs. Celta Vigo: Final score 2-2, defensive mistakes cost Rojiblancos
Celta’s possession-oriented style prevented Atleti from getting a home win.
Denis Doyle
Celta Vigo went ahead in the 19th minute thanks to a no-look backheel beauty from Pablo Hernández. That action is so hard to defend that it is impossible to blame Atléti’s defense for conceding on such a magic touch. After that goal, Celta controlled the game effectively by keeping the ball and letting Atléti run after it. That made things difficult for los rojiblancos, who were getting nervous and anxious trying to score the equalizer.
Still, an Atléti goal arrived off a set piece, even though Celta were looking comfortable. Koke crossed the ball with his usual quality and Miranda just had to push it in. Ten minutes later, Diego Godin added another goal on a corner kick. Atlético were struggling but set pieces allowed the Madrid side to reach halftime with a 2-1 lead. Once again, their central defenders had bailed them out.
Simeone’s squad enjoy counter-attacking against teams that need to commit numbers in attack, so the situation looked like a favorable one. But Miranda committed a silly foul on Carles Planas inside Atléti’s box in the 53rd minute, and the referee’s decision to point to the spot was an easy one. Nolito misled Miguel Angel Moyà on the penalty shot and the game was tied up again.
After that, Simeone made some questionable substitutions, replacing Antoine Griezmann and Raúl Jiménez with Raúl García and new signing Alessio Cerci. Griezmann is arguably one of Atlético's main offensive threats, while García is a more defensive player than the man he replaced. Even the Vicente Calderón fans, known for supporting the club no matter what, whistled the substitutions in disapproval. Jiménez looked to have a winner with another set piece goal for Atlético after he came on, yet he was in offside position, and the referee disallowed it.
Without Griezmann and Jiménez on the pitch, Atleti were toothless trying to score the winner. It could have happened in added time, but García fell in Celta’s offside trap again and the referee did not miss the call.
Atlético seem to be missing some of their key players from last season's title run, mainly Filipe Luis and Diego Costa, and they will be sitting four points behind Barcelona if Lionel Messi and company get a win at Levante this Sunday. Atléti conquered the Spanish Supercup early this season and beat Real Madrid a week ago, but they're struggling in attack. Only great set pieces and some brilliant performances by Moyà are keeping them near the top of the table.
Atlético Madrid: Moya, Ansaldi, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran, Koke, Tiago, Gabi, Turan, Griezmann (Garcia 68’), Jimenez (Cerci 82’)
Goals: Miranda (31’), Godin (41’)
Celta Vigo: Alvarez, Fontas, Planas, Cabral, Mallo, Krohn-Delhi (Castro 89’), Radoja, Lopez (Nolito 46’), Hernandez (Gomez 71’), Larrivey, Orellana
Goals: Hernandez (19’), Nolito (penalty 53’)
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