Atlético Madrid failed to return to the top of La Liga as a resilient 10-men Sevilla side held out for 0-0 draw to end a frustrating evening at the Vicente Calderón.
Needing to maintain their winning form, Diego Simeone’s men were fully aware that a failure to triumph would see Barcelona return on top of the league on goal difference following their victory on Saturday, still with one game in hand over the Madrid side.
From the first minute it was clear the type of affair this would be, with January signing Augusto Fernández throwing himself into two reckless challenges that resulted in a yellow card, after only five minutes of play. Both sides looked strong in the opening, with centre-back Adil Rami and Atléti captain Gabi, both attempting to find breakthroughs for their sides.
The impressive youngster Saúl Ñíguez continued his threatening eye for goal with two quick consecutive attempts, however, both chances did not trouble Sergio Rico in goal. Yet Sevilla were equally up for the challenge against the former league leaders and created attempts of their own. Coke’s header narrowly scrapped over the crossbar, following Éver Banega’s delivery from the corner which left Jan Oblak gobsmacked.
In-form striker Antoine Griezmann, who scored his 12th league goal last weekend, looked to add to his tally when Juanfran sent in a delightful pass to the Frenchman, but his effort only just missed the right corner netting. Another chance would fall to the Frenchman following Diego Godín’s headed pass, though again his effort was a bit too high.
Juanfran would continue to threaten from that right-wing, though again Atléti could not find the target. The hosts were nearly made to rue their misses when Coke found Sergio Escudero, who attempted an effort from outside the box that drew the first save of the game from Oblak.
Simeone decided to make a strategic change for the start of the second-half with Fernández, already on a yellow card, replaced for the more attacking winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco. The decision would allow Koke to move into his preferred central-role and it paid off almost immediately. Koke found Griezmann, who then was able to direct his header to the bottom-left corner of the goal with only the post denying Atléti the lead.
If the home side’s second-half dominance would not have already concerned Unai Emery, then Vitolo’s red card resulting from two bookable offences would have. Atléti started to capitalise on the extra man, with Juanfran delivering in another exceptional cross that found Saúl and required a fine save. Rico would continue being solid in between the posts, denying Gabi a late goal that would have most certainly gifted the hosts the three points.
Sevilla would bravely hold onto a draw that looked continuously destined for an Atléti victory, which gives hope for Emery’s men in their quest for the capturing the lucrative fourth and last Champions League qualification spot. For Simeone’s Atléti, they will curse their numerous chances and inability to take advantage of a 10-men Sevilla side that has now left los Rojiblancos trailing Barcelona on goal difference and potentially three points adrift considering their game in hand.
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Formations and lineups
Simeone largely stayed with the same setup that has been in fine form recently, with only Stefan Savić coming into the starting XI in favour for José Giménez. The 4-4-2 formation continued new signing Fernández partnering captain Gabi in the centre, with Koke unfortunately staying on the left-wing. The striking duo between Luciano Vietto and Griezmann that has worked to fruition in recent games lead the line.
Emery utilised his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, however, decided to make three changes to his side that successful defeated Málaga. Sebastián Cristóforo, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Kevin Gameiro were replaced by Steven N’Zonzi, Sergio Escudero and former Spanish international Fernando Llorente with the responsibility as the lone striker.
Koke has to play in the centre
In the second consecutive fixture Simeone opted to use Koke on the left-wing from the beginning of the first-half. Though again in both fixtures against Sevilla and Las Palmas, the Spaniard was moved into the centre to accommodate the introduction of Carrasco at some point in the latter stages and yet again he was a nuisance for opposition from this preferred central role and created key chances for Griezmann to score.
After the injury suffered to Tiago, Simeone realised the importance of a recruiting a strong combat midfielder like Fernández, especially when Gabi was suspended. However, again for the second consecutive fixture, the inclusion of Koke in the centre has shown the importance and impact the Spaniard can contribute and influence from his preferred role. In tight fixtures like against Sevilla, Koke should start from the middle, as he has the ability to pick a pass and also unlock tough defences.
Griezmann in form but still struggling against top clubs
The season has seen much emphasis on Atléti’s strikers failing to score and score frequently. That was soon forgotten in December onward as leading goal scorer, Griezmann, embarked on a run which saw his goal tally reach 12, notably including a double last weekend. Yet Sunday’s fixture against Sevilla showcased a continual inability to score against the tougher league opponents for the Frenchman.
Last season, this was not as much of an issue with fellow striker Mario Mandžukić contributing on his behalf for goals. This time around, new signings Jackson Martínez, Luciano Vietto and the on-loan Fernando Torres have all failed to contribute to the cause. Such failure in their strikers scoring on a regular basis has seen midfielders such as Gabi and Saúl each take direct responsibility upon themselves to try beating Rico in goals.
Conclusion
A near perfect display by Atléti again was only let down by their failure to score. The midfield was well in control and Atléti were defensively solid as expected, which contributed to another clean sheet for Oblak. However, in a stage of the season where los Rojiblancos are battling alongside Barcelona for first place, Simeone needs his strikers to find their feet, and not just Griezmann. A visible dominant display against one of the league’s best displays characteristics of potential champions, however, Atleti continues to be let down by their strikers. The result of this fixture might just be the difference in the long run that separates them from first place.
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