Lacklustre Atletico held at Alaves

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA ( Reuters) - Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home continued when they were held to a goalless draw at Alaves on Saturday, dropping points on the road for a second consecutive week and losing Uruguay international Jose Maria Gimenez to injury.

Even with the King's Cup semi-final first leg against Barcelona coming up on Wednesday, Diego Simeone fielded a full-strength team against Alaves but he watched his side get outplayed by the Basques, who are without a win in the league in 2017.

Alaves defender Victor Laguardia struck the underside of the bar with a hooked volley in a strong first-half display from the home side, Brazilian forward Deyverson somehow heading over the bar on the rebound from close range.

Mauricio Pellegrino's side, who like Atletico also booked their place in the Cup semi-finals last week, continued to dominate proceedings after the break and midfielders Victor Camarasa and Edgar Mendez both spurned chances while Atletico loanee Theo Hernandez was denied a goal against his parent club by goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.

Atletico's Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan had a glorious chance to snatch what would have been a scarcely deserved win for the visitors when he found himself through on goal but he failed to successfully dribble around custodian Fernando Pacheco.

Simeone's side have won just one of their last four away games in the league in what has been their worst campaign since the Argentine coach took charge in December 2011.

Atletico are fourth on 36 points and could drop to fifth if Real Sociedad win at leaders Real Madrid on Sunday; Alaves are 12th on 24. Champions Barcelona, in third, visit Real Betis on Sunday, while second-placed Sevilla travel to Espanyol.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)