"Obviously we're dropping a lot of points but there's a long way to go until May," added Koke
Atletico Madrid's Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez shoots from the penalty spot during the Spanish League football match between Real Mallorca and Atletico Madrid's at the Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca. Pic/AFP
Atletico Madrid's stuttering start to the season continued in a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday in which their striker Julian Alvarez missed a penalty. Diego Simeone's side, reduced to 10 men after Alexander Sorloth's red card, took the lead through Conor Gallagher but Vedat Muriqi levelled in the 85th minute for the hosts. The draw leaves Atletico 12th, having won just one of their first five league matches.
"I think we dominated the game from start to end, until we scored and they, with one more player, turned up the pressure," Koke told DAZN. "They had one chance and they scored, I think we played very well. "It's clear that what matters is scoring goals and they don't want to go in." The draw leaves Atletico nine points behind leaders Real Madrid, and four behind champions Barcelona, who host Getafe later on Sunday. "Obviously we're dropping a lot of points but there's a long way to go until May," added Koke.
Licking their wounds after a painful late Champions League defeat at Liverpool in midweek, Atletico turned their attention back to the Spanish top flight. Simeone was able to bring back Alvarez after injury and he lined up alongside Giacomo Raspadori, chosen to start ahead of Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth.
Atletico started well and Mallorca relied on goalkeeper Leo Roman and the woodwork to keep them afloat. Pablo Barrios came close with a drive from distance which Roman managed to push onto the post. The Spanish goalkeeper then saved Alvarez's penalty after Antonio Raillo handled David Hancko's shot. Roman made a brilliant save to thwart Alvarez again from close range in the second half as Atletico continued to push for the opener.
The Rojiblancos' job was made harder when Sorloth was dismissed for a high and late challenge on Raillo in the 72nd minute, but a few minutes later they took the lead. Marcos Llorente charged into the box and although Roman saved his hard and low strike, Gallagher was on hand to tuck home the rebound. Simeone's side could not hold onto their lead and Muriqi nodded the hosts level with five minutes remaining from Jan Virgili's cross. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved from former Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre's curling effort as Mallorca, 19th, poured forward in search of a first win of the season.
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