Football
Joseph Walker, Atletico Madrid blogger 6y

Sulking Antoine Griezmann wastes another night as Atletico Madrid draw

Atletico and Real Madrid played out one of the dullest Madrid derbies in recent years, producing a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.

Atleti should have led after three minutes, however Angel Correa spurned a one-on-one, firing wide when he should have scored. It was a precursor of things to come as the sides battled out a stalemate that suited nobody bar league leaders Barcelona.

Los Rojiblancos might have won it late on, however sub Kevin Gameiro saw his delicate chip headed off the line. At the other end Lucas Hernandez made a crucial stop on Cristiano Ronaldo. It was one of those kind of nights.

Positives

Not losing the derby is always a plus, and it means Madrid now have just one win in their last nine visits to Atleti. The defence looked somewhere close to its best, too.

Negatives

Antoine Griezmann. If he was going to mope, sulk and skulk he should have just left in the summer. At present it is a waste of time for both club and player.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- A good starting XI from Diego Simeone, who uncharacteristically threw on attackers as the game got towards its business end, which almost paid dividends as Gameiro nearly won it. Showed Griezmann exactly who is boss by hooking him, too.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Jan Oblak, 7 -- Made a flying save in each half from Ronaldo free kicks, however you suspect they were for the cameras. A good block on a Toni Kroos piledriver, too.

DF Juanfran, 8 -- Rolled back the years. Set the tone early on as he outsprinted Ronaldo, who was running through on goal, despite the Portuguese having a good 10-yard head start. His old, dependable self at the back and was tireless in attack, too.

DF Stefan Savic, 8 -- Another who needed -- and subsequently produced -- a high-level display. Gave Karim Benzema no change whatsoever while he was on the pitch with some no-nonsense old-school defending. More like it.

DF Diego Godin, 7 -- A rock. Dealt with Madrid attacks, be them on the floor or in the air. Marshalled -- an admittedly out of form -- Ronaldo very well.

DF Lucas Hernandez, 8 -- The best of the lot at the back. We keep saying he is not a left-back, but his performances suggest otherwise. Must surely be pushing for a central berth soon, such is his defensive ability, as illustrated with a number of brilliant blocks, especially his full-length one at the death to ensure his side of a point.

MF Koke, 5 -- A welcome return, however that the Madrid midfield looked better with him more central might be cause for concern.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 -- Neat and tidy in the middle of the park without excelling in a disciplined hour-long showing. No coincidence that when he was replaced, Luka Modric and Kroos grew in influence in the game.

MF Gabi, 6 -- Played the role of midfielder destroyer well. No-frills, nothing fancy, get the ball and give it. Couple of smart, cynical fouls showed his experience with Real breaking.

MF Saul Niguez, 5 -- Needs to offer more. You can never fault his work ethic in defence, but keeps making the wrong decisions in attack and looks shorn of confidence in that sense.

FW Antoine Griezmann, 3 -- On the pitch in name only. Admittedly isolated, but where was the work ethic and the dropping deep to get involved? The fact he was hooked with 15 to go speaks almost as many volumes as the pockets of whistles towards him. Is stinking the place out and the summer transfer saga continues to hover over him.

FW Angel Correa, 5 -- A bad, bad miss in the opening minutes that you simply have to score. However, to his absolute credit, he never hid (unlike a certain Frenchman) and always tried -- albeit unsuccessfully -- to make something happen.

Substitutes

MF Yannick Carrasco (for Thomas), 5 -- Spearheaded a late 4-on-3 counter that he proceeded to muck up by taking three touches too many. Vintage Carrasco.

FW Kevin Gameiro (for Correa), NR -- Lovely chip over the onrushing keeper only for it to be headed off the line.

FW Fernando Torres (for Griezmann), NR -- Set up Gameiro with a purposeful run.

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