BARCELONA, Spain (AP) 鈥� Diego Simeone joined soccer鈥檚 coaching elite by building rock-hard defenses that grind out victories with the bare minimum of flash up front.
But now, with the greatest wealth of attacking talent in his decade in charge of Atletico Madrid, the Argentine is struggling to make that flash up front click.
Ten-man Atl茅tico was held to a second straight scoreless draw at home on Saturday after it was stymied by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league.
Atl茅tico, which has not scored more than two goals in any of its six games this season, was also held to 0-0 by Porto at home in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.
And this despite Antoine Griezmann鈥檚 return to the club to strengthen an attack that also counts on Luis Su谩rez, Jo茫o F茅lix, 脕ngel Correa, Marcos Llorente, Yannick Carrasco, and newcomer Matheus Cunha.
鈥淚 won鈥檛 look for excuses,鈥� Simeone said. 鈥淚 believe in my team and in my players, and we are going to work hard so that these big names can do what they have always done, which is score goals.鈥�
Atl茅tico was without midfielder Koke Resurrecci贸n, the midfielder who leads the defending champion's transitions from defense to attack, after he hurt a leg muscle against Porto.
Llorente went closest for the hosts when his 75th-minute shot from outside the area hit the post.
Three minutes later, Atl茅tico was left a man down when F茅lix earned back-to-back yellow cards. The referee first booked him for swatting a defender who was clinging to his jersey from behind. F茅lix, who was not looking at the player when his hand impacted his face, got a quick second booking when he vehemently protested.
Bilbao almost took advantage of the numerical superiority, but substitute Asier Villalibre wasted a perfect opportunity to grab an injury-time winner when he shot high with only goalkeeper Jan Olbak to beat from close.
Atl茅tico took a one-point lead at the top of the standings, but Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Sociedad can overtake it on Sunday.
Griezmann made his first start since returning to Atl茅tico on loan from Barcelona. The France forward鈥檚 only scoring chance came in the opening minutes when he flicked a cross by Llorente high and wide. He was replaced by Su谩rez early in the second half.
Atl茅tico and Bilbao both remained undefeated through five rounds.
FALCAO鈥橲 DEBUT
Former Atl茅tico star Radamel Falcao enjoyed a perfect debut for Rayo Vallecano, scoring 10 minutes after going on as a late substitute to complete a 3-0 win over Getafe in a derby between the Spanish capital鈥檚 two more modest clubs.
The veteran striker went on as a 71st-minute substitute with Rayo ahead 1-0. Midfielder Path茅 Ciss doubled the lead shortly before he set up Falcao with a pass for the Colombian to score from an angle.
The 35-year-old Falcao signed with Rayo this month as a free agent.
鈥淚 had dreamed of 小蓝视频 able to go out there and score a goal,鈥� Falcao said. 鈥淢y teammates have given me a lot of support. I feel right at home.鈥�
Many Rayo fans recall Falcao鈥檚 two seasons with Atl茅tico from 2011-13, when he helped it win the Europa League and the Copa del Rey. He went on to Monaco, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Galatasaray, where he played until the end of last season.
OTHER RESULTS
Javier Pastore, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and Roma, debuted for Elche as a substitute as it drew at home with Levante 1-1.
Levante forward Jos茅 Morales cancelled out Lucas P茅rez鈥檚 opener for Elche.
Osasuna continued its strong start and moved into sixth place after David Garc铆a and Roberto Torres scored in a 2-0 win at Alav茅s.
Alav茅s was left in last place with zero points.
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Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press
