Simeone's stuttering Atletico draw at Alaves

For the third consecutive game Diego Simeone's side spurned a lead after his son Giuliano Simeone sent the team ahead early on. Carlos Vicente levelled from the spot.

Atletico overhauled their squad in the summer and the coach said he thinks it will take his team some time to click, with results reflecting that.

"We have to keep working, to trust in my players, we have a team that will do better than what we have been doing," Simeone told Movistar.

"We weren't effective enough today once again... we have to have faith, to believe in what the team can do and to improve what needs to be improved."

Simeone said he was not worried about the results but more his team's performance.

"I'm not looking at the points, the important thing is that the team improves and as a consequence of that, the points will improve too," he added.

Atletico have struggled on the road in 2025 but took the lead after seven minutes through Giuliano Simeone.

The winger picked up a loose ball after a scramble in the box, showed grit to force his way past a defender and powered home at the near post.

Atletico threw away leads in their first two games and striker Alexander Sorloth gave Alaves a way back when he clumsily fouled Nahuel Tenaglia in the box.

Carlos Vicente sent Jan Oblak the wrong way from the spot to level the score at Mendizorroza.

Antonio Sivera made a fine save to deny Sorloth in the second half as Atletico sought a winner. Rojiblancos substitute Antoine Griezmann struck the post from close range.

Sivera made another fine save from a Sorloth header as Alaves dug in to secure their point.

After a supporter needed medical attention in the stands earlier in the half, 15 minutes were added on, but Atletico were unable to find a winner.

Later Saturday Real Madrid host Mallorca while champions Barcelona visit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday among other fixtures.