€100m Star Goes Seven Games Without a Goal: Atlético Fire 15 Shots but Settle for 1 Point

In the early hours of January 22, Atlético Madrid were held to a frustrating 1–1 draw away to Galatasaray in Round 7 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Despite scoring first, Diego Simeone’s side failed to convert dominance into victory, leaving the 55-year-old coach visibly dissatisfied.

Atlético arrived in Turkey on the back of three consecutive Champions League wins and made a dream start.
In the 4th minute, a swift counterattack saw Ruggeri deliver a precise cross into the box, where Giuliano Simeone rose at the far post to head home, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

But Atlético’s control didn’t last. In the 20th minute, Galatasaray attacked down the right, and after a low cross into the box, Marcos Llorente made a costly clearance error, diverting the ball into his own net. The equalizer shifted the momentum.

From that point on, Atlético dominated possession and territory. They peppered the opposition goal with shots but lacked cutting edge. Over 90 minutes, Atlético recorded 15 shots, five on target, and created two clear chances—yet scored just once.

The biggest concern was the continued struggles of Julián Álvarez. The €100 million forward attempted four shots without hitting the target and was substituted in the 73rd minute. He has now gone seven consecutive matches without a goal—his longest drought since joining Atlético.

After the match, Simeone admitted his frustration:
“When you take 15 shots and score only once, there’s no magic solution. This is a phase we must go through. We can’t rely solely on the striker—others need to contribute goals. Today, one point is what we deserved.”

Atlético now sit 12th in the standings with 13 points. In the final round, they will host Bodø/Glimt, where a win remains well within reach—but their attacking inefficiency remains a worrying sign.