Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his team had played well but "just lacked a goal" in Saturday afternoon's La Liga 0-0 draw at Valencia.
A tough and tight game at Mestalla brought few chances for either side, with defences on top at either end. The visitors' Luciano Vietto -- standing in the suspended Antoine Griezmann -- came closest to breaking the deadlock just before half-time, but the Argentina international blazed over the bar when well-placed, and flashed a header just wide.
Atletico are now unbeaten in their last 12 La Liga games away from home, with five points from visits to Girona [2-2], Las Palmas [5-0] and now a draw at Valencia in their first three 2017-18 outings, and next Saturday brings the first game at their new Wanda Metropolitano home with Malaga the visitors.
The Los Che coach told the postgame news conference that he was happy with how his team had got through the three road outings required while the Wanda was being readied for opening.
"We were good in the second half at Girona, and good at Las Palmas," Simeone said. "We played well today, we just lacked a goal. In our play we showed important things.
"It was a good game between two teams who work in a similar way. We had chances to score, but the all-important goal did not come, [Luciano] Vietto came closest. The team gave off a good feeling."
Valencia also have five points from their first three games, including a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid last time out, and Simeone said Los Che had made clear progress under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.
"Marcelino always makes his teams work hard and you can see the effort his players are putting in," he said. "They do not leave space for the opponent, have a very clear idea of how they want to play, did that very well at the Bernabeu and again today.
"They will improve and will be up there fighting, as when a team is well organised, goals come as they have players who can take chances."
Ghana international Thomas Partey, 24, again played the 90 minutes with rojiblanco captain Gabi spending the whole game on the bench. Simeone said the homegrown midfielder had earned his chance to show what he could do.
"[Thomas] is improving, he is full of motivation and ambition," the Argentine said. "I hope he keeps improving, he is young and works hard."