Atletico Madrid and Barcelona remain locked at the top of La Liga after they played out a goalless draw at Vicente Calderon on Saturday evening.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks and were looking to attack at every chance. Arda Turan found a way through on the wing, but his dangerous cross was hacked over his own bar by Gerard Pique.

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On the half-hour mark, Atleti should have taken the lead. Miranda met a set piece and his header found Diego Costa at the far post, but the Brazilian spurned his effort wide.

In the second half a golden chance again fell to Costa. This time he was threaded through by Turan but his fizzed effort went just past the far post.

Lionel Messi was the next player guilty of a miss on 70 minutes as he met a Jordi Alba cross but put his low header wide of the target when he should have done better.

Atletico were seeing much more of the ball but could not get it in the net. Turan summed up his side's game with a drive from inside the box straight at Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

Barca saw more of the ball in the closing few minutes, but both teams were forced to settle for a point, which does both little good in the hunt for the title.