With the star forward missing through suspension, Diego Simeone's side was wasteful in front of goal against Alaves - and that really needs to be sorted soon
It looked like the ideal first fixture - on paper at least. At home to newly promoted Alaves, Atletico Madrid was the huge favorite to start the Liga season with a win in front of its own fans in this, its final season at the Vicente Calderon. But it did not work out as planned.
Even with its finest footballer, Antoine Griezmann, unavailable through suspension, the Rojiblancos were expected to emerge as the winner against the Basques.