#2 They don't score enough goals
Atletico has an immaculate defensive record. During their title-winning season, their tally of 77 goals scored paled in comparison with the 100 and 104 by Barca and Real respectively, but their impeccable defence ensured that this was not to turn out to be an impediment. If it had come down to goal difference at the end of the season, however, the story might well have turned out different.
The story has been similar in the current season – Real (56) and Barca (63) have scored way more goals than any of their competitors and accordingly, their goal difference is completely out of reach. If Atletico are to claw their way back, a simple catching up won't do – they would need to be clearly ahead of their rivals in terms of points to make the advantage count.
A lack of goals throughout the team (due in part to over-reliance on Griezmann) has also led to home draws against Alaves and Espanyol, not to mention costly away draws and losses against other lesser teams. For all their graft, Atletico do not have enough X-factor at the offensive end to turn 1 point to 3 points on rougher days.
