Champions Atletico Madrid failed to turn domination into goals during the opening 45 minutes of their clash against city rivals Rayo Vallecano this evening.
Atletico enjoyed more of the possession throughout the half, but they struggled to create too many clear-cut opportunities.
Their best two openings fell to summer signing Mario Mandzukic, but the Croatian failed to convert either of them.
The first, in the 26th minute, saw him head inches wide of the upright and then just two minutes later he headed straight at Cristian Alvarez from close range.
As the half wore on the home side started to dictate play a bit more, without causing any major threat to Miguel Angel Moya's goal.
