Real Madrid Stays Top After Scoreless Draw in Madrid Derby
Real Madrid stayed top of the Spanish league after a 0-0 draw with derby rival Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
The lackluster encounter at Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium benefited two-time champion Barcelona, which won 2-0 at Getafe to move within two points of the leader.
Real Madrid stayed one point ahead of Atletico and promoted Granada, which defeated Leganes 1-0 for its fourth win in seven matches. Real Sociedad can take the lead on Sunday if it defeats eighth-place Sevilla.
There were few chances in the Madrid derby. Atletico's best opportunity came less than 10 minutes into the match when teenage forward Joao Felix went close following a counterattack.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak came to the rescue for the home side with a reflex save denying Karim Benzema's 75th-minute header.
The result extended Atletico's four-year winless streak at home against Real in the league.
Atletico has won only one of its last 19 home games against Real in the league, with the sole victory coming in February 2015. Real's 3-1 victory at the Wanda last season was Atletico's only defeat in its last 24 home games in the league.
It was the first match between the rivals since Atletico stunned Real 7-3 in a friendly in the United States in July.