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First Division - Day 19

Atlético Madrid 0 - Barcelona 0

Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis; Arda Turan, Gabi, Tiago (Cristian Rodríguez 82’), Koke; Diego Costa, David Villa (Raúl García 76’). 4-4-2.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta (Messi 46’); Alexis (Neymar 73‘), Cesc Fàbregas, Pedro (Sergi Roberto 81’). 4-3-3.

Goals: None.

Yellow cards: Gabi 43’, Godín 46’, Jordi Alba 56’, Mascherano 71’, Dani Alves 82’.

All square in the big match on Saturday evening, joint leaders Atlético Madrid and Barcelona drawing 0-0 to end the first half of the season on 50 points. It was an intense match, with the best two defences in the league only allowing a couple of chances at either end. Tata Martino decided to leave Messi and Neymar on the bench at the start, the former only just back from a two month injury lay-off, and the later still recovering from a bout of gastric flu. And for a few minutes they were pinned back in their own half, Piqué heading a Turan cross just over his own bar, and Diego Costa coming up against Mascherano and Piqué a couple of times. Pedro tested Courtois for the first time later on in the first half, but otherwise it was hard going, a lenient Mateu Lahoz letting players from both sides off bookings for some physical tackles. Iniesta in particular suffered, and at half time he was the one to make way for Messi, Martino taking him off as a precaution after the Spanish international complained of a bruised knee.

After the interval Valdés had to save from Godín (who was then pulled up for offside), and Diego Costa fired a shot wide of the mark, and with Neymar now on the park, Messi headed a cross from Jordi Alba just wide. Valdés and Courtois proved why they are the best keepers in La Liga right now with saves from Turan and Messi, but in the end honours were shared, and Barça take the honorary title of winter champions thanks to a better goal difference. A best ever first half to the season however for Atlético, and with the league programme mirrored in the second half of the campaign, the return fixture in the Nou Camp on the last weekend may well decide who will be league champions this year.

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