Atletico Madrid somehow contrived to draw 0-0 with Roma despite hitting the woodwork twice, having countless gilt-edged chances and nine shots on target.
Unfortunately for Los Rojiblancos, Roma stopper Alisson was in sensational form and he kept out efforts from Saul, Koke, Luciano Vietto, Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco as Atleti laid siege to his goal throughout.
It was not to be, however, and when Saul hit the post with the goal gaping in stoppage time you knew it was not their night.
Positives
A point and clean sheet away to Roma -- it could be worse.
Negatives
It should have been better. That is two games with no goals and this should have been three points and a big step towards qualifying. It is getting to the stage where a youth team player would be a better option than Vietto up front. Kevin Gameiro's return to fitness cannot come quick enough.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Diego Simeone should not have picked Vietto, but went some way to correcting it with his substitutions. The side he sent out created more than enough chances to win, though, and he is not responsible for their finishing.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Jan Oblak, 7 -- Made one great save in the first half to maintain parity before spending the rest of the night as a spectator.
DF Juanfran, 6 -- Was targeted by Roma, but for the large part did his job defensively. Attacked well but his final ball was off.
DF Stefan Savic, 6 -- Decent for the majority of the game, but in the second period with Roma looking for a way out of their deep defensive line he gave away too many sloppy, cheap free kicks for fouls on Edin Dzeko.
DF Diego Godin, 7 -- Dominant in the air and on the ground as usual.
DF Filipe Luis, 8 -- Excellent from the off. Set up Saul to hit the post after two minutes and was arguably Atleti's most dangerous player in the first 45. Did not allow the pace of Gregoire Defrel to cause him problems with clever defensive positioning throughout.
MF Koke, 7 -- Denied a goal by a stunning goal line clearance, but he really ought to have scored. Fared well in the midfield battle throughout, first from his nominal wide position and then later from the central position he switched to.
MF Gabi, 6 -- Helped protect the back four well, however with his side pushing on, his defensive capabilities were not needed and he was hooked in favour of an attacker.
MF Thomas Partey, 7 -- An all-action display from the Ghanaian, who is becoming an important cog in the Atleti machine. Linked defence and attack excellently.
MF Saul Niguez, 8 -- One of those games where you could either give him a four or full marks. In the end, an eight is fair enough. Was outstanding in the middle of the park, running the show. Set up Vietto for his one-on-one miss but also missed three sitters himself including an open goal in the last minute and hit the woodwork twice.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 -- Looked rusty, rather than refreshed after missing the last couple of games. Snatched at a couple of chances he would usually bury.
FW Luciano Vietto, 2 -- More Atletico lives than a family of cats. Should not have started after his wretched display at the weekend and if Simeone was looking for a reaction, this was the polar opposite. Lost possession too easily and missed a one-on-one with his last kick of the game, summing up his Atleti career. Needs to go.
Substitutes
FW Angel Correa, 8 -- Should have started. Los Colchoneros improved immeasurably with the Argentine on the pitch. Made things happen and forced two outstanding saves from Allison.
MF Carrasco, 6 -- Pure frustration. Made the wrong decision -- something he keeps on doing -- too often, passing when he should shoot and shooting when he should pass. His directness and pace exploited a lot of room and you wonder if he would have been better starting, too.
MF Nicolas Gaitan, NR -- Provided an extra body in midfield without doing much of note.