Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club both maintained their unbeaten starts to the 2021/22 LaLiga Santander season as they shared the spoils in a goalless draw at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
2021/2022 La Liga
0-0
The result takes Atleti top of the table - for now, at least - and also means that Los Leones have only conceded one goal in their opening five games.
In what was an open and even game, as both sides pushed to grab more than a single point, there was a distinct lack of clear-cut chances and, in fact, only two shots on target were registered, both for the home side.
In perhaps the game's biggest talking point, Los Colchoneros' young forward Joao Felix was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession with a little over 10 minutes to go.
The Portugal international saw the first booking for catching Unai Vencedor in the face with a flailing arm. He then proceeded to call the referee "crazy" while pointing to his head and Jesus Gil Manzano swiftly brought the yellow card back out for dissent and Joao Felix was sent off, less than 20 minutes after being subbed on.
The 21-year-old didn't react at all well and lashed out at a water bottle on his way to the dressing room. He may well feel hard done by for the first booking as it wasn't clear from replays how much intent there was when he hit Vencedor, but there's no doubt there was contact and he can have no complaints that the referee didn't stand for his petulance. Diego Simeone surely won't be best pleased either.
On the pitch, the numerical advantage spurred on an Athletic side who had already been in the ascendency. Nico Williams looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball and was causing problems for the home side.
Athletic had more than one big chance to win the game, but perhaps the best came late on when Nico Williams played a delightful through ball to Iker Muniain, who in turn laid it on for Asier Villalibre inside the box. The striker had time to set himself, but his left-footed effort sailed well over the bar, wasting what was a golden opportunity.
Both teams are back in action on Tuesday when they will be hoping to go one better and get all three points. Atleti make the short trip to Getafe, while Athletic host Rayo Vallecano at San Mames.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' Griezmann's shot wide out
7' Savic's header too straight
15' Griezmann's shot stopped
24' Martinez's shot stopped
42' Williams' shot over the bar
46' Correa's header wide out
49' CLOSE! Williams misses great chance
70' Suarez misses great chance
74' Llorente's long shot hits the post
77' Second Yellow Card! Felix sent off
Line-ups
Atletico XI: Oblak, Savic, Griezmann, Trippier, Kondogbia, De Paul, Gimenez, Correa, Hermoso, Llorente, Lodi
Subs: Suarez, Herrera, Vrsaljko, B. Lecomte, Carrasco, Felipe, Saponjic, Felix, Matheus Cunha
Athletic Club XI: R.García, Muniain, Balenziaga, I. Martinez, D.García, Lekue, I.Williams, Berenguer, Unai Simón, Dani Vivian, Unai Vencedor
Subs: De Marcos, Capa, Asier Villalibre, Vesga, Núñez, Jokin Ezkieta, Álex Petxa, Oier Zarraga, Jon Morcillo, Nico Williams