Atletico Madrid started their defence of the La Liga title with a 0-0 draw away at Madrid rivals Rayo Vallecano this evening.
Mario Mandzukic, who arrived from Bayern Munich as a replacement for Diego Costa during the summer, had Atletico's best two chances in the first half, but the Croatian failed to convert either of them.
The first in the 26th minute saw him head wide of the target and then just two minutes later he sent his headed effort straight at Cristian Alvarez in the home goal.
There was more invention about the hosts during the second half and within the first two minutes of the restart, Alberto Bueno found himself with the time to have a shot inside the area, but he dragged his effort wide.
Next to try his luck for Rayo was former Manchester United frontman Manucho, but he couldn't make a clean connection on Aquino's cross and the danger was eventually cleared by Atletico centre-back Miranda as the game petered out to a goalless draw.
Liam Apicella
