Real slips to exploit Barca's draw with edgy derby stalemate

Real Madrid missed the chance to go two points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga as they drew 0-0 with Atletico Madrid on Saturday in an edgy, but entertaining, local derby in which the outstanding players were the two goalkeepers.

Real Madrid missed the chance to go two points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga as they drew 0-0 with Atletico Madrid on Saturday in an edgy, but entertaining, local derby in which the outstanding players were the two goalkeepers.

Real's Thibaut Courtois made two exceptional saves in the first half to thwart Atletico strikers Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, while his opposite number, Jan Oblak, rescued the visitors with two cold-blooded stops after the interval to deny Marco Asensio and Dani Carvajal.

Gareth Bale came close to scoring for Real in the first half but was substituted at the start of the second and his side improved without their record signing, almost snatching a winner in stoppage time when captain Sergio Ramos headed narrowly wide.

Real are joint-top of the standings, locked on 14 points with Barcelona, who have a slightly superior goal difference, despite their surprise 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico, 12 points, drop down to fourth, while Sevilla climbs into third, with 13 points, after winning 3-1 at Eibar.