Deportivo squander chances and settle for draw

Deportivo La Coruna's Spanish international strike force of Diego Tristan and Albert Luque squandered a series of second half chances which meant the Galicians had to settle for 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid.

The solitary point means that Deportivo stay in third place behind the Spanish first division's leading pair of Real Madrid and Valencia, who both play later on Saturday.

League leaders Real Madrid have 53 points and will be looking to maintain pole position at relegation-threatened Espanyol.

Valencia are two points behind the reigning Spanish champions but have to play host to an on-form Barcelona, who have won their last four games.

Deportivo now have 50 points and are 10 points clear of fourth-placed Barca ahead of the Catalans' outing against Valencia.

Despite the absence of goals, the pace rarely flagged between Atletico and Deportivo as both teams were fully committed to finding the net.

Atletico had the best of the possession in the first half but after the break Deportivo took control in a bid to get the goal which would increase the pressure on the two teams ahead of them.

The mis-firing Tristan, whose misses included putting the ball over the bar from point blank range just after the hour, was substiuted 13 minutes from time but the introduction of Uruguayan international Walter Pandiani did not help to clinch victory for Deportivo.