VIGO, Spain (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid suffered their first major setback of the season as they lost 2-0 at Celta Vigo after defender Stefan Savic was sent off midway through a miserable second-half performance by Diego Simeone's side on Saturday.
Celta’s Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez put the Galicians ahead straight after the break when he pounced on a slip by compatriot Diego Godin and Iago Aspas doubled the lead in the 52nd minute with a header the day after being dropped from the Spain squad by new coach Luis Enrique.
Things got worse for Atletico after 70 minutes when their Montenegro defender Savic was dismissed for a second booking and a minute later they thought they had conceded again when Gustavo Cabral scored but the goal was ruled out for offside after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR).
Atletico have four points from their opening three games and could slip five behind Real Madrid, who were hosting Leganes later on Saturday, and Barcelona, at home to Huesca on Sunday, if their rivals win their respective weekend fixtures.
(Reporting by Richard Martin in Madrid; Editing by Ken Ferris)