Atletico's title hopes take another hit
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone reacts towards referee Juan Martinez Munuera during the LaLiga match with Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Mendizorroza, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain on May 3. PHOTO: REUTERS
Atletico Madrid's fading hopes of winning the LaLiga title suffered a potentially grievous blow on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Alaves at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Atletico, who last won LaLiga in 2021, dominated possession but lacked the invention and urgency to pierce an organised Alaves rearguard.
Diego Simeone's side remained third in the standings with 67 points, nine behind leaders Barcelona who travel to Real Valladolid later on Saturday. T
he first half was a cagey affair without a single shot on target, the most notable moment coming when Atletico forward Julian Alvarez was dismissed for planting a high boot on Facundo Garces.
However, TV replays showed the challenge was not as bad as it initially appeared and the red card was changed to a yellow after VAR asked the referee to consult the pitchside monitor.
Antoine Griezmann made his first start in three league games but the Frenchman was unable to help Atletico find a route to goal as the visitors failed to record a shot in the opening 45 minutes.
Alaves had a chance early in the second half but Jon Guridi failed to convert, sending a header wide after being left unmarked in Atletico's penalty area. Simeone brought on attackers Alexander Sorloth and Samuel Lino and the substitutions sparked the contest into life, with Lino recording Atletico's first shot on target in the 71st minute.
Alaves did the same at the other end as Kike Garcia's side-footed effort from close range was expertly kept out by Jan Oblak.
Alaves keeper Antonio Sivera was kept very busy in the closing stages as Atletico pushed forward, but the visitors were unable to find a winner. The draw moved Alaves up to 16th, three points clear of the relegation places.
"It's a good point against a great opponent," Alaves defender Garces said. "I'm very happy with the work we've done, this helps us to gain confidence and to add to our tally. We're all on the same page. We have to keep pushing and make the stadium a fortress for the last two games here."
Ancelotti says he will reveal future plans at end of season
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has been heavily linked with the Brazil post, said Saturday he will reveal his future plans on May 25 after their final La Liga game.
The immediate goal for the 65-year-old Italian, who has one year left on his Madrid contract, is with five matches remaining to overhaul bitter rivals Barcelona's four point lead and retain the La Liga title.
Achieving that would make up somewhat for losing to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, and the defence of their Champions League crown ended by Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
"I have a lot of affection for my club, my players and our fans, and also a lot of respect," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Madrid's La Liga clash against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
"So I will speak about my future on the 25th (of May) and not before." Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on May 25 in their final La Liga match of the season -- they then leave for the United States and the Club World Cup which starts on June 14. Ancelotti said the day he leaves Madrid will be a "beautiful" one and he has never had a single problem with the club across two spells at the helm.
"It will be a fantastic goodbye, because I have a lot of affection for the club and it does for me too, I will never fight or argue with the club," said the veteran coach.
"Never have I done so in six years and I never will, I won't let myself, until the last day, which could be the 25th, which could be in 2025, or it could be the 25th of May 2026, or 2030. "That I don't know, but whichever day it is, it will be a very beautiful day."
Ancelotti, who coached Madrid between 2013-15 and then again since 2021, has won three Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles with the club. REUTERS/AFP
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