Ten-man Atletico Madrid have been held to a second straight scoreless draw at home in La Liga after their talented attack was again stymied by Athletic Bilbao.
On a day when their old striking star Radamel Falcao showed them the way by scoring on his debut for Rayo Vallecano, Atletico's much-vaunted attacking riches drew another blank on Saturday.
With Antoine Griezmann joining Luis Suarez, Angel Correa, Yannick Carrasco and Joao Felix, coach Diego Simeone has his deepest well of attacking talent to draw on since taking over Atletico a decade ago.
But the defensive-minded Argentine has so far failed to get his attack to click. Atletico were also held 0-0 by Porto at home in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, and Atletico haven't scored more than two goals in any of their six games across all competitions this season.
"I won't look for excuses," Simeone said. "I 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."
Midfielder Marcos Llorente went closest for Atletico when his 75th-minute shot from outside the area hit the post.
Three minutes later, Atletico were left a man down when Felix earned back-to-back yellow cards.
The referee first booked him for swatting a defender who was clinging to his jersey from behind and Felix, 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 range.
The Basque Country club and Atletico are both undefeated through five rounds, with the champions now a point clear at the top, although their nearest pursuers Real Madrid or Valencia, who meet on Sunday, could overhaul them.
Griezmann made his first start since returning to Atletico on loan from Barcelona but the France forward's only scoring chance came in the opening minutes when he flicked a cross by Llorente high and wide. He was substituted early in the second half.
Former Atletico star Falcao enjoyed a dream debut for Rayo Vallecano, scoring 10 minutes after going on as a late substitute to complete their 3-0 win over Getafe in a derby between the Spanish capital's two more modest clubs.
The veteran striker went on as a 71st-minute substitute with Rayo 1-0 ahead. Midfielder Pathe 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, who signed with Rayo this month as a free agent, said: "I had dreamed of being able to go out there and score a goal. I feel right at home."
Many Rayo fans recall Falcao's two seasons with Atletico from 2011-13, when he helped them win the Europa League and the Copa del Rey before he went on to Monaco, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Galatasaray, where he played until the end of last season.
Australian Associated Press
