MADRID Aug 28 (Reuters) – A new-look Atletico Madridsuffered a setback in their opening La Liga match of the seasonwhen they squandered several chances and twice struck the postin a 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna on Sunday.
In brilliant sunshine at a festive Calderon, midfielderEduardo Salvio was guilty of poor finishing and curled an effortoff the upright in the first half, while former Arsenal wingerJose Antonio Reyes hit the post with a powerful swerving shotshortly after the break.
Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez pulled off a string offine saves to deny the home side and Atletico were fortunatesubstitute Nino opted for power rather than precision inblasting wide from close range at the death.
Madrid’s second club have seen Argentina striker SergioAguero and Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea depart for theEnglish Premier League this summer, while Uruguay forward DiegoForlan looks poised to leave for Serie A side Inter Milan andwas not included in the squad for Sunday’s game.
Atletico also have a new coach in Gregorio Manzano, who hasbegun a second stint with the club after replacing QuiqueSanchez Flores at the end of last season.
He has brought in players including club record-signingFalcao, Turkey midfielder Arda Turan, who came off the bench tomake a second-half debut on Sunday, and Spanish Under-21 strikerAdrian.
La Liga is getting underway a week late after last weekend’sfirst round of matches fell victim to a strike called by theplayers’ union (AFE) over unpaid wages, a dispute with theleague (LFP) that was finally resolved on Thursday.
Those games, including Barca at Malaga and Real at home toAthletic Bilbao, will now be played in January.
Champions Barca begin their bid for a club record-equallingfourth straight title at home to Villarreal on Monday (1900GMT), when former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could make hishome league debut. Continued…
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