Atletico Madrid played out a bore-draw 0-0 away to Valencia on Saturday afternoon. On a day when neither side seemed to have the gumption to go for it, chances were few and far between and a sell-out Mestalla would be right to feel short-changed.
Atleti clearly had one eye on the Champions League in midweek and Marcelino, the new Valencia coach, did not want a black mark against his name. Things were pretty mundane for the majority.
Positives
A first clean sheet of the season is always welcome.
Negatives
Luciano Vietto still commands a place in this side.
Manager rating out of 10
5 — Diego Simeone set his stall out not to lose but also did not show much attacking intent.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Jan Oblak, 6 — Will have few easier afternoons. Dealt with a couple of crosses and that was about it.
DF Juanfran, 6 — Decent going forward but looked a little rusty. Largely untroubled defensively.
DF Stefan Savic, 6 — Did what he needed to do against Simone Zaza.
DF Lucas Hernandez, 7 — Looked more comfortable as a centre-back. Controlled things in that area.
DF Filipe Luis, 6 — A welcome return for the Brazilian. The final ball was a bit off but will improve with match practice.
MF Yannick Carrasco, 4 — Exactly the kind of performance that has you tearing your hair out. Would beat a man but then play a sloppy pass. Hooked on the hour.
MF Koke, 5 — Looked like someone who put in two shifts of 90 minutes during the international break. Surprisingly subdued.
MF Thomas Partey, 6 — Covered a lot of ground, but the final ball was lacking.
MF Saul Niguez, 6 — See Koke. Looked shattered and his radar was off.
FW Angel Correa, 6 — Has been in sparkling form recently but hardly had a sniff — not for the want of trying.
FW Luciano Vietto, 4 — Was on the pitch in name for 65 minutes. Running out of lives.
Substitutes
Nicolas Gaitan, 5 — Was average at best. Never looked like a difference-maker.
Fernando Torres, 6 — Better than the man he replaced, but still did not offer all that much.
Kevin Gameiro, NR — A welcome return to the first team.
Joseph Walker covers Atletico Madrid for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @Joe_in_espana.