Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have reached half time level after playing out a goalless opening 45 minutes in their La Liga clash at the Vicente Calderon this evening.
Atletico were on the attack early on as Jose Gimenez attempted to fire the ball in at the near post following a corner, but Claudio Bravo got across to make the save.
Lionel Messi had the first chance of the evening for the visitors as Dani Alves picked him out with a cross, but his header was right at the keeper, while Neymar set the Argentine up again a few minutes later, only for Juanfran to make the block.
Alves tried to get forward again shortly after the half-hour mark only to be halted by a shirt tug from Diego Godin, but Messi's effort from the resulting free kick struck the crossbar.
Barcelona came close again just a couple of minutes before the break as Messi looked for Neymar with a low cross, only to see Juanfran turn it away.
As things stand, a draw with the defending champions would be enough for Barcelona to wrap up the La Liga title this evening.
Sian Cowper
