Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid slipped 10 points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga as a Madrid derby short on chances finished 0-0 at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
Angel Correa missed the best chance of the game after just three minutes as both Atletico and Real were left to rue a familiar lack of cutting edge in front of goal this season.
After a bright start from Atletico, Real’s first chance came on the counter-attack but Juanfran outpaced Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese was put through by Luka Modric much to the home crowd’s delight.
The visitors slowly started to take control of possession as the first period wore on, but lacked a creative spark. Jan Oblak turned Toni Kroos’ effort behind at the near post after a neat one-two with Ronaldo, before Sergio Ramos was left bloodied and eventually replaced at half-time as he was caught by Lucas Hernandez as he stooped to head into the side-netting.
Ronaldo’s profligacy has been blamed for Real’s slump in form this season and the Portuguese was once again wayward when handed the chance to win the game 15 minutes from time.
Modric picked out the World Player of the Year unmarked inside the Atletico box, but Ronaldo’s tame effort dribbled wide.
Both sides had chances to win it in a frantic finale as Raphael Varane headed Kevin Gameiro's lobbed effort off the line.
At the other end, Ronaldo took just too long to wind up his effort as Hernandez galloped back into position to make a brave block and ensure Atletico a share of the spoils.
Nainggolan impresses
In Serie A, Roma squeezed past local rival Lazio 2-1 on Sunday as Italy resumed domestic action following the World Cup disaster for the national team.
“We showed great spirit, we are in wonderful form,” said goalscorer Nainggolan.
The Belgium international was a doubt for the derby after picking up a groin injury during the international break but was the star of the show for Roma in midfield.
“I always want to help my teammates and I gave my all to be ready to play, as this is the kind of match you cannot miss.”
Roma’s fifth straight win saw it leapfrog Lazio, which drops down to fifth on 28 points after the derby defeat, ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Atletico Madrid, where it could qualify for the Champions League knockout stages with a match to spare.
The results:
Serie A: Crotone 0 lost to Genoa 1 (Rigone 11).
On Saturday: Premier League: Manchester United 4 (Martial 37, Smalling 45+1, Pogba 54, Lukaku 70) bt Newcastle United 1 (Gayle 14)
Serie A: Roma 2 (Perotti 49-pen, Nainggolan 53) bt Lazio 1 (Immobile 72-pen); Napoli 2 (Insigne 33, Zielinski 73) bt AC Milan 1 (Romagnoli 90+1).
La Liga: Getafe 4 (Bergara 6, Molina 9-pen, Rodriguez 53, 64) bt Alaves 1 (Santos 81); Sevilla 2 (Muriel 36, Nolito 48) bt Celta Vigo 1 (Gomez 13); Atletico Madrid 0 drew with Real Madrid 0.
Bundesliga: Hertha Berlin 2 (Ibisevic 28, Weiser 71) lost to Borussia Monchengladbach 4 (Stindl 5, Hazard 14-pen, Raffael 20, 77).
