April 21, (THEWILL) – A goalless draw with Granada on Wednesday, left Atletico Madrid frustrated, as Diego Simeone’s team wasted the opportunity to move clear in the race for La Liga’s top four.
After a run of six straight victories between February and April, Atletico has won just one of their past five games in all competitions, reigniting some of the doubts that surrounded the team earlier in the season.
Atleti lacked a cutting edge in their first game since Joao Felix was declared sidelined for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, with Matheus Cunha hitting the post late on.
In a dreary affair that will not live long in the memory, Simeone’s misfiring side just had one shot on target as Granada dug in to frustrate them in their first match under new coach Aitor Karanka.
In one of the few chances in the second half, Stefan Savic sliced a shot wide before Petrovic tried his luck, this time bending a long-range strike just wide with Jan Oblak only watching.
Atleti were unable to find a winner in the closing moments, with Savic heading off target from a corner and Cunha turning swiftly before rattling the upright from close range.
Granada is currently in 18th place, one point behind Cadiz, who have a game in hand.
Although Atletico climbed to second place in the table, both Barcelona and Sevilla might overtake them on Thursday. After Sevilla’s trip to Levante, Barca travels to Real Sociedad.
Real Betis are four points behind Atletico Madrid in fifth place after losing at Elche on Tuesday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
