Atletico Madrid Held to Frustrating Draw at Mallorca After Alvarez Penalty Miss

Atletico Madrid's uneven opening to the season carried on with a 1-1 stalemate away to Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday, during which their forward Julian Alvarez squandered a penalty kick.

Diego Simeone's squad, cut down to ten players following Alexander Sorloth's sending off, went in front courtesy of Conor Gallagher, yet Vedat Muriqi restored parity in the 85th minute for the home side.

This result positions Atletico in 12th place, with only one victory from their opening five league fixtures.

"I feel we controlled the match from beginning to conclusion, right up until our goal when they, having an extra man, ramped up the intensity," Koke remarked to DAZN.

"They got one opportunity and converted it, yet I believe we performed strongly.

"Evidently, the key is putting the ball in the net and it is not happening."

The point earned keeps Atletico nine points adrift of table toppers Real Madrid, and four behind title holders Barcelona, who face Getafe later that day.

"Clearly we are letting points slip away, but plenty of the season remains until May," Koke continued.

Smarting from a tough last gasp loss to Liverpool in the Champions League during the week, Atletico shifted focus back to domestic action.

Simeone managed to reinstate Alvarez post injury, pairing him with Giacomo Raspadori, selected over Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth for the lineup.

Atletico began brightly, forcing Mallorca's custodian Leo Roman and the frame of the goal to preserve their defence.

Pablo Barrios nearly scored with a long range effort that Roman diverted onto the upright.

The Spanish keeper then denied Alvarez from the spot after Antonio Raillo blocked David Hancko's attempt with his hand.

Roman produced an excellent stop to repel Alvarez once more from near range during the second period, as Atletico kept pressing for a breakthrough.

Challenges mounted for the Rojiblancos when Sorloth received his marching orders for a reckless high challenge on Raillo in the 72nd minute, though soon after they seized the advantage.

Marcos Llorente surged into the penalty area and, despite Roman blocking his fierce low shot, Gallagher reacted swiftly to slot in the loose ball.

Diego Simeone's charges failed to defend their slender lead, with Muriqi heading the equaliser for the hosts with five minutes left, off Jan Virgili's delivery.

Atletico's shot stopper Jan Oblak prevented a curler from ex Barcelona playmaker Pablo Torre as Mallorca, sitting 19th, surged ahead hunting their initial triumph of the term.