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Barcelona's La Liga title hopes suffered a massive blow earlier today as the Catalans played out a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou. Both teams created a fair few chances throughout the game but were unable to seize the initiative in what was a crucial contest.
Atletico Madrid temporarily stay at the top of the La Liga standings but could concede their spot to Real Madrid by the end of the week. Barcelona remain two points away from the top of the table and will now need several other results to go their way to win the league title.
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Barcelona did have their problems against Atletico Madrid in the first half and were unable to create concrete chances against Diego Simeone's side. Los Colchoneros set up on the counter and forced Ter Stegen into several saves before half-time.
Lionel Messi decided to take matters into his own hands at the end of the first half and embarked on an exceptional run that forced a world-class save from Jan Oblak. Atletico Madrid were the better team in the first half and were unfortunate not to take the lead.
Barcelona upped the tempo in the second half but found Atletico Madrid's rigid defensive lines a difficult lock to pick. Ronald Araujo's introduction tilted the scales in Barcelona's favour and kept Atletico Madrid's attack at bay after the half-hour mark.
The Catalans chased their winner towards the end of the game and should have found the back of the net after a move involving Jordi Alba, Antoine Griezmann, and Lionel Messi. Ousmane Dembele was unable to find the back of the net, however, and Atletico Madrid held their nerve to steal a point from the Camp Nou.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 8/10
Marc-Andre ter Stegen was excellent in the first half and kept Barcelona in the game with a string of brilliant saves. The shot-stopper did not have much to do in the second half but effectively won Barcelona a point against Atletico Madrid.
Gerard Pique - 6.5/10
Gerard Pique had his fair share of problems with the wily Luis Suarez and conceded a few fouls against the Uruguayan striker. The Catalan defender gave a better account of himself in the second half and also forced Jan Oblak into a save with his header.
Clement Lenglet - 7/10
Clement Lenglet was tested by the likes of Angel Correa and Marcos Llorente and held his own with a brilliant block in the first half. The Frenchman held his ground against Atletico Madrid and earned his clean sheet.
Oscar Mingueza - 5/10
Oscar Mingueza was tormented by Yannick Carrasco in the first half and struggled to keep the Belgian winger at bay. The young defender was caught out of position on one occasion too many and was taken off for Ronald Araujo after half-time.
Jordi Alba - 6/10
Jordi Alba struggled to get the better of Kieran Trippier in the first half and was unable to burst in the final third. The Barcelona left-back improved after half-time and created some of his side's best chances.
Sergino Dest - 6/10
Sergino Dest had a few bright moments for Barcelona and gave Mario Hermoso a few problems with his dribbling prowess. The American teenager was inaccurate with his crosses, however, and needs to improve his final product.
Sergio Busquets - 6.5/10
Sergio Busquets was accurate with his passing and won the ball back on a few occasions for Barcelona. The Catalan veteran suffered a concerning head injury at the half-hour mark and was replaced by Ilaix Moriba.
Frenkie de Jong - 6.5/10
Frenkie de Jong pitched in with a few good passes and interceptions but saw his creative freedom curbed after Sergio Busquets' injury. The Dutch midfielder spent most of the game recycling possession for Barcelona and was unable to move into the final third.
Pedri - 6.5/10
Pedri held his own against Atletico Madrid's tenacious midfielders but was unable to create chances of note against Diego Simeone's side. The young Spaniard was replaced by Sergi Roberto as Barcelona looked for their winner.
Antoine Griezmann - 5.5/10
Antoine Griezmann put in a tenacious display against his former side but did little to trouble Jan Oblak. The French striker did manage a few shots in the second half but was well below his best on the day.
Lionel Messi - 6.5/10
Lionel Messi was relatively quiet in the first half but burst into life with an otherworldly run to force Jan Oblak into a brilliant save. The Barcelona talisman nearly found the back of the net towards the end of the game but was largely unable to pull his side across the line.
Substitutes
Ilaix Moriba - 5/10
Unfortunately for Ilaix Moriba, Atletico Madrid were far too tenacious in the midfield and the high stakes brought his inexperience to the fore. The Barcelona midfielder has a long way to go at the club and has a point to prove this year.
Ronald Araujo - 7.5/10
Ronald Araujo was one of Barcelona's most impressive players on the night and managed to outrun an in-form Yannick Carrasco on several occasions. The Uruguayan defender also managed to find the back of the net but was in an offside position.
Ousmane Dembele - 5.5/10
Ousmane Dembele injected some much-needed energy into Barcelona's play towards the end of the game. The French striker also saw the best chance of the game come his way but was unable to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.
Sergi Roberto - 6/10
Sergi Roberto was a late substitute against Atletico Madrid and was unable to have much of an impact on the game.
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Atletico Madrid Player Ratings
Jan Oblak - 8.5/10
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was arguably the best player on the pitch against Barcelona and pulled off a stunning save from Lionel Messi in the first half. The Slovenian star also managed impressive blocks towards the end of the game and earned his side a point.
Felipe - 7.5/10
Felipe had an excellent outing against Barcelona and was often his side's last line of defence against the Catalans. The centre-back did have a few problems against Lionel Messi but managed to hold his ground.
Stefan Savic - 7/10
Stefan Savic did a number of his former teammate Antoine Griezmann and kept the Frenchman quiet for most of the game. The defender was impressive with his clearances and helped his defence with some vital blocks.
Mario Hermoso - 6.5/10
Mario Hermoso faced his fair share of problems against Sergino Dest and was beaten for pace on a few occasions. The full-back was able to recover, however, and did manage a few runs of his own in the final third.
Kieran Trippier - 7/10
Kieran Trippier had an intriguing duel with Jordi Alba and managed to get the better of his counterpart in the first half. The Englishman's influence waned towards the end of the game but his contributions did manage to keep Barcelona's attacks at bay.
Koke - 7/10
Koke went about his job in typical fashion against Barcelona and ensured that Atletico Madrid were in the contest. The Spaniard picked up a late yellow card but did manage to hinder Lionel Messi's progress into the final third.
Marcos Llorente - 6.5/10
Marcos Llorente was a thorn in Barcelona's side and his pace and poise proved an asset to Atletico Madrid's attacks throughout the game. Llorente did not see much of the ball in the second half but did manage to create a few chances for his teammates.
Thomas Lemar - 6/10
Thomas Lemar was an enterprising presence for Atletico Madrid and did force Ter Stegen into a save during his short stay on the pitch. The Frenchman pulled his hamstring only 10 minutes into the game and was replaced by Saul Niguez.
Yannick Carrasco - 7/10
After a relatively quiet start as a wing-back, Yannick Carrasco stepped up towards the end of the first half and tormented Barcelona with his pace. The Belgian was unable to get the better of Araujo after the hour-mark but was one of his side's most dangerous attacking players.
Angel Correa - 6.5/10
Angel Correa was a vital cog in Atletico Madrid's attacking play and excelled in his creative role. The Argentine led his side's high press and was replaced by Geoffrey Kondogbia towards the end of the game.
Luis Suarez - 6.5/10
Luis Suarez has improved considerably under Diego Simeone and was out for blood against Barcelona. The Uruguayan's return to the Camp Nou did produce a few memorable moments but was unable to yield a goal.
Substitutes
Saul Niguez - 6/10
Saul Niguez had the unenviable task of keeping tabs on Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and picked up a yellow card in the process. The Spanish midfielder was replaced by Joao Felix at the hour-mark as Atletico Madrid looked for their winner.
Joao Felix - 6.5/10
Joao Felix was a threat on the counter for Atletico Madrid and gave Gerard Pique a few problems towards the end of the game. The Portuguese forward is a shade off his best, however, and was unable to win the game for his side.
Geoffrey Kondogbia - 5.5/10
Geoffrey Kondogbia was Atletico Madrid's weak link in the final minutes of the game and struggled against Lionel Messi. The midfielder conceded a dangerous free-kick to the Argentine but did manage an impressive run into Barcelona's half.
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