Barca and Real are closing in on Atletico

Table-toppers Atletico Madrid made things complicated for themselves after failing to win against the lately slipping Getafe side. Final score 0-0 at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.

After collecting just four points from the last 24 available, Getafe are looking like relegation candidates at the wrong time. Before this game, Getafe have failed to score a single goal against Atlético Madrid for 18 consecutive meetings - a period that spanned close to a decade. Their 3-0 win over Valencia as the last home game gave them hope and a bit more confidence before meeting currently the best team in the league.

Atlético have an 11th top-flight title in sight, and with their league-best defence conceding an average of just 0.69 goals per game, they looked in great shape to record a seventh consecutive win against Getafe. However, after tons of chances in the closing minutes of the game, they failed.

First half lacked excitement. Most of it Atletico Madrid showcasing great teamwork by keeping possession and producing pin-point passes from player to player. The opposition's players were finding it very difficult to intercept the build-ups made by the guests.

First opportunity for Los Colchoneros happened in the 39th minute - a big opportunity was wasted by Yannick Carrasco, who made a yard for himself and produced a mid-range rocket of a shot towards the middle of the goal. Unfortunately for him, David Soria pulled off a fantastic save to stop the effort. All the attempts made by Atletico were interrupted by the well-organized home team.

Getafe were also close to scoring in the 47th minute, just before the halftime whistle. The ball spun out to Cucho and his swerving scissor-kick volley from the edge of the goal-box flashed high over the bar.

In the second half, Getafe showed a bit more determination. But even with that, Atletico were more dangerous - in the 56th minute Marcos Llorente had a good chance to score with a mid-range attempt. He aimed for the right side of the goal, but he could not generate enough power to trouble David Soria.

Four minutes later, the home team could have taken the lead. The ball rebounded outside of the penalty area and fell to Enes Unal who directed his shot to the right side of the goal, but Oblak was there in time to stop his effort.

Atletico had a disallowed goal in the 62nd minute due to Suarez's assist coming from out of play - Joao Felix's effort afterward ended up in the net but it was in vain. The 70th minute brought a numeric advantage to Atletico when, after consulting with VAR, Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez showed a red card to Cameroonian Allan Nyom.

And with man less, Getafe managed to threaten Oblak in the 73rd minute. Carles Alena needed no second invitation to shoot and hit a piledriver from distance towards the bottom right corner, but the Slovenian goalkeeper denied him with a good save.

Just a minute after, Moussa Dembele could have scored. he picked up a rebound and tried with a tricky shot from close range. The ball went to the right side of the target, but Soria kept it out with an amazing save.

Atletico were determined to score and use the fact Getafe has a man less on the pitch. In the 78th minute, Joao Felix took a shot from long range - it was a decent effort towards the middle of the goal, but Soria pulled off a comfortable save to deny him. Soria had more work cut out for him in the next play - Dembele jumped above the defenders and tried with a nice header. Soria made a reflexive save to block his effort.

Atletico even hit the woodwork in the 83rd minute when Luis Suarez had a sight of goal and fired from the edge of the box - his strike rattled the left post. But the biggest chance Atletico had was not converted in the 90th minute when Dembele caught a long cross into the middle of the area - his header went inches wide of the right post.

Atletico awaits Barcelona's game against Huesca and hopes Messi & Co will not collect three points. If they do, it will be a 4 points advantage for the Colchoneros who are surely disappointed after tonight's game.

LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 27

Friday

Levante - Valencia 1-0 (1-0)

/Roger 18'/

Saturday

Alaves - Cadiz 1-1 (1-0)

/Joselu 36' pen - Alex 84' pen/

Real Madrid - Elche 2-1 (0-0)

/Benzema 73', 91' - Calvo 61'/

Osasuna - Valladiolid 0-0

Getafe - Atletico Madrid 0-0

Sunday

16.00 Celta - Athletic Club

18.15 Granada - Real Sociedad

20.30 Eibar - Villareal

23.00 Sevilla - Betis

23.00 Barcelona - Huesca