Atleti stalemate in Rome

Atletico Madrid recorded their second goalless draw in succession, firing blanks at Roma in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Sime Vrsaljko picked up a knock in training and wasn’t risked, while Kevin Gameiro was seemingly dropped on technical grounds. However, Antoine Griezmann was back from his suspension.

In the opening couple of minutes, Saul Niguez clipped the outside of the upright from the edge of the box with Alisson beaten. Gregoire Defrel also drilled just wide with a snapshot, as did Antoine Griezmann.

The game came alive on the half-hour as Aleksandar Kolarov first rolled a free kick to the edge of the box for Radja Nainggolan, whose rocket was about blocked on the line by Jan Oblak as it squirmed under him.

Moments later, Los Colchoneros went on the counter and Luciano Vietto let it through for Koke, whose finish beat Alisson, but not Kostas Manolas’ goal-line clearance.

Edin Dzeko drilled over the bar after a give and go from a tight angle, while Defrel couldn’t turn between three defenders to get his shot away.

Saul fired straight at Alisson from Juanfran’s layoff, but the goalkeeper needed to be alert when facing Angel Correa’s angled drive.

Roma were under increasing pressure and introduced Federico Fazio for striker Defrel, moving to three at the back.

Former Sevilla attacker Diego Perotti had penalty appeals waved away as he went down while looking for contact just inside the area.

Alisson again had his gloves stung by Correa as Atleti poured forward, seeking the winner, and the hosts looked increasingly tired. Kolarov ran into Juanfran in the box, but again the referee waved away penalty appeals.

Roma really rode their luck in stoppages as Alisson performed another great save on Saul’s header from a corner and, on the rebound, the midfielder hit the woodwork.

Roma 0-0 Atletico Madrid

Roma: Alisson; Peres, Manolas, Juan Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan (Pellegrini 79), De Rossi, Strootman; Defrel (Fazio 68), Dzeko (El Shaarawy 89), Perotti

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe; Koke, Gabi (Carrasco 62), Thomas, Saul; Griezmann (Gaitan 79), Vietto (Correa 58)

Referee: Mazic (SRB)

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