Atletico held to draw at Rayo Vallecano

Diego Simeone's side are still unbeaten but now trail leaders Barcelona by six points after six games, as the Catalans romped to a 5-1 win at Villarreal. Conor Gallagher secured Atletico a draw at Rayo's Vallecas stadium after Isi Palazon put the hosts ahead in a Madrid derby clash.

Atletico's star summer signing Julian Alvarez hit the bar with a long-range effort in the first half but Rayo were on top. Palazon slammed home from close range from Andrei Ratiu's cross after 35 minutes and the goal was eventually given after initially being ruled offside.

However Gallagher finished neatly from the edge of the box early in the second half after Alexander Sorloth fed the England international. "It's a difficult place to go, we know how Rayo put the pressure on," Atletico captain Koke told Movistar.

"(At half-time Simeone) told us we all had to run, these days anyone who is not running here cannot play. We had chances to get the winner but it wasn't to be."

Athletic Bilbao overtook Atletico to move into third with a 3-1 win against Celta Vigo earlier Sunday, a point behind second-place Real Madrid who thrashed Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday.

 

September 22, 2024