Atlético held by impressive Celta Vigo

Atletico Madrid’s stuttering start to the season continued with a 2-2 draw against a spirited and impressive Celta Vigo side at the Vicente Calderon.

Despite the derby win over Real Madrid last week Diego Simeone’s side have struggled to build momentum, demonstrated by the Champions League defeat to Olympiakos during the week.

And the Spanish league champions failed to bounce back from that result, as they came up against a Celta Vigo side that dominated large spells of the game at the Vicente Calderon.

Celta Vigo took the lead in surreal fashion, when Pablo Hernandez languidly stuck out a leg to meet a lobbed cross into the box, directing the ball into the net with the back of his heel.

However, Atletico struck back through Miranda, who flicked a Koke freekick past Sergio Alvarez in the Celta Vigo net.

And the champions claimed the lead before the break when Diego Godin powered home a header having leapt so much higher than anyone else from a corner kick.

But Celta Vigo refused to relinquish the contest and levelled the score themselves from the penalty spot, after Miranda’s reckless challenge on Carles Planas, with Nolito converting comfortably to make it 2-2.

14’ ATLETI CHANCE – What a chance for Atletico! The best passing move of the game sees Juanfran pick out the run of Tiago inside the box, but the former Chelsea midfielder puts his shot wide of the target.

19’ OPENER – What a sensational goal! The long ball comes over the top and Hernandez sticks out a leg to backheel it on the volley into the net.

30’ SERGIO SAVE – Huge save by Sergio! Ansaldi gets in behind the Celta Vigo backline, taking a cross into the box with a good touch. But the goalkeeper comes rushing off his line to smother the shot.

31’ EQUALISER – The home side equalise through a set piece! Koke swings the ball into the penalty area, where Miranda flicks it home.

40’ ATLETI GOAL – Another set play and Atletico Madrid have taken the lead! Godin leaps so much higher than anyone else to power a header home.

53’ CELTA EQUALISER – Nolito, who came on at half time, steps up to the penalty spot and converts his effort with aplomb, sending Moya the wrong way.

77’ ANOTHER SERGIO SAVE – Huge save by Sergio! Ansaldi plays a cross into the box from the left side, with the ball landing at the feet of Jimenez eight yards out, but the keeper somehow manages to deflect it over his own bar.

90’ ATLETI CHANCE - Big save from Sergio! Tiago gets his head to a set piece delivery at the near post, forcing the Celta Vigo keeper to claw the effort off his line. That looked like it was going in! Great pace to the freekick.

Atletico Madrid had eight shots on target against Celta Vigo, more than in any game this season in all competitions.

Atletico Madrid have scored more goals from set-pieces (eight) than any other team in La Liga this season.

Atletico Madrid have claimed just two wins from their four opening La Liga fixtures.

Do Atletico Madrid have the strength in depth up front? With Mario Mandzukic ruled out with a broken nose for at least two more weeks, Raul Jimenez started in the number nine role for Atletico against Celta. Frankly, the young Mexican looked out of his depth and it wasn’t until the introduction of Raul Garcia from the bench that Atleti carried some presence up front. Is such quality, or lack of, enough to carry Simeone’s side to the title?

Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid - The whistles and jeers that greeted the surprise substitution of the French attacker tells you everything you need to know about his performance up until that point. On a night when Atletico’s frontline was somewhat lethargic, Griezmann was their only attacking spark and was unfortunate not to make more of an impact by way of a goal.

Atletico Madrid – Moya 6, Ansaldi 7, Godin 7, Miranda 5, Juanfran 7, Tiago 6, Gabi 6, Koke 5, Griezmann 8, Turan 5, Jimenez 5. Subs – Garcia 6, Cerci 4.

Celta Vigo – Sergio 7, Planas 6, Fontas 5, Cabral 5, Mallo 7, Krohn-Dehli 7, Radoja 5, Lopez 6, Hernandez 7, Larrivey 6, Orellana 5. Subs – Nolito 6, Gomez 4, Jonny 4.