Atletico Madrid suffered a European hangover, looking impotent and lethargic as they played out a goalless bore draw with local rivals Leganes on Saturday night.
A much-changed Atleti lineup, with several players out of position, raised a few eyebrows pre-kickoff, and the in-game management did little to help that. Truth be told, Los Rojiblancos never looked like scoring, and Jan Oblak saved their blushes in a tepid display.
Not to worry, just undefeated Barcelona to come after the international break. Gulp.
Positives
Oblak is probably the best goalkeeper in world football right now. This was another night on which he can hold his head high.
Negatives
The fact your goalkeeper is your best player against a side you should easily beat is never a good sign. No cutting edge, no real sense of urgency and no threat whatsoever despite enjoying most of the possession for Los Colchoneros. Admittedly, the players appeared perplexed by their tactical setup. A night to forget.
Manager rating out of 10
3 -- Diego Simeone got everything wrong from start to finish. He set up cautiously, and his in-game substitutions were absolutely bizarre, to put it mildly. A chastening week for the Argentine.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Jan Oblak, 8 -- Three wonderful second-half saves stopped this from being an embarrassing defeat.
DF Jose Maria Gimenez, 6 -- A decent enough right-back in games when you are up against it and need the extra aerial presence. However, in matches where you enjoy the lion's share of the ball and need to break down a low block, he is very much not the man to play at full-back, given he is a centre-back not known for his ability on the ball.
DF Stefan Savic, 6 -- Appeared to be determined to clear the stands with every clearance he made. No nonsense, if at times uncomposed, display from the Montenegrin.
DF Diego Godin, 6 -- Went close with a header late on and the side only looked moderately threatening once he went and played up front for the final 10 -- but that is not his job.
DF Saul Niguez, 5 -- Again. When you need to break down a low block, why play your best goal-scoring midfielder out of position in defence? Bizarre from the boss.
MF Koke, 5 -- Patchy. His early season form appears long gone. Could not seem to get a corner to beat the first man and looked shattered by the end of the game as he made wrong decision after wrong decision.
MF Thomas Partey, 5 -- Got stuck in as things got feisty in midfield, but does he have enough on-ball quality to play in this side, especially against a resilient opposition?
MF Gabi, 6 -- Shielded the back four, but given the circumstances of the game that was not what was needed. Another strange decision from the boss as he left both holding midfielders on for the full 90 minutes.
MF Angel Correa, 5 -- Taken out from the striking role he has looked so dangerous in recent weeks and did not look comfortable. Lost possession a couple of times and is much more comfortable farther forward. Subbed.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 -- Once again was largely on the periphery and has not been great as of late. One menacing run -- on which he was crudely hauled down -- aside, he did not look like threatening at all. Withdrawn to the surprise of many, but frankly his performance deserved it.
FW Luciano Vietto, 2 -- Must be doing something right in training because in matches he certainly is not. Needs to be binned.
Substitutes
MF Yannick Carrasco, 5 -- Was direct enough, but there was little to no end product. Not helped by a lack of movement around him up top.
FW Fernando Torres, 5 -- Headed over from a decent position late on. Did little else.
DF Sime Vrsaljko, 4 -- Brought on for Griezmann, which was an odd change. To boot, he was out of position at left-back and did not look comfortable. Booked for a cynical foul.