Light on incident but filled with frustrated faces on both sides, the 165th league meeting between Madrid and Atletico was not one that will live long in the memory.

It was, however, indicative of the starts both capital clubs, and indeed defending champions Barcelona, have endured to this point.

While Madrid lead the way and Atletico and Barca are each well positioned to mount a title challenge, by their lofty standards they have each struggled to find top form and all appear gripped by a malaise that will take some time to be lifted.

Seven games into the new season, the comparative records of Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona suggest this is a title race nobody wants to take control of.

Real Madrid: 1st (W4, D3, L0)

Unbeaten but unconvincing, Zinedine Zidane remains a man under pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu and a point away to their neighbours is unlikely to change that.

Held to draws by Real Valladolid and Villarreal, having to come from behind twice in the latter game, Madrid can consider themselves fortunate to have not suffered defeat in the league. Their listless display in a 3-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League produced significant cause for concern that has yet to be assuaged.

Atletico Madrid: 3rd (W4, D2, L1)

Though they lost Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona in the transfer window, the frustration for Atletico boss Diego Simeone will be that this is the second successive season in which they have failed to take advantage of underwhelming starts from the Blaugrana and Madrid. Their performance at the Metropolitano was a far cry from the 7-3 hammering they dished out to Los Blancos in the International Champions Cup, with this display another case of Atletico not producing when it counts.

Simeone’s men beat Madrid 4-2 in the UEFA Super Cup last season only to fall flat in the league, and they have now not beaten their arch rivals in seven LaLiga derbies. The hope will be that Atletico’s form will improve as star signing Joao Felix grows more comfortable in Spanish football.

Barcelona: 4th (W4, D1, L2)

With Lionel Messi blighted by fitness problems, Barca have looked a long way from their best, and the result has been increased scrutiny on coach Ernesto Valverde. The warning signs were there from the off as Barca were beaten 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao on the first day of the season and they have continued to look vulnerable since.

Osasuna held them to a 2-2 draw while surprise package Granada claimed a shock 2-0 win over the champions last week. Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Getafe marked the first time they have kept a clean sheet in the league this season, with the emergence of teenager Ansu Fati the primary bright spot from a start that was been well below par.

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