Real held to goalless draw at Atletico in compelling derby

A defiant Atletico Madrid held defending European champions Real Madrid to a 0-0 derby draw at the Vicente Calderon in an enthralling Champions League quarter-final encounter, the first goalless result in this fixture for a decade.

Atleti’s solid showing, typified by shot stopper Jan Oblak, kept Los Blancos at bay, despite constant pressure and a dominant performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men, ensuring the Galacticos have now gone seven Madrid derbies without a victory.

The Spanish capital’s top two clubs came together for the seventh time this term in front of a raucous crowd, who were treated to an exciting contest, despite a low key scoreline. Diego Simeone’s home side ultimately frustrated European Cup holders Los Blancos. leaving this quarter-final tie in the balance.

Within only a few minutes of kick-off and, after such an explosive start to proceedings, Gareth Bale found himself through on goal but was denied brilliantly by a strong save from Slovenia stopper Oblak.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless determination to get on the end of a thumping defensive clearance from Raphael Varane paid off after quarter of an hour, as the Portugal star controlled the lofted ball and laid off for Karim Benezema, but he was unable to put the chance away.

The hosts continued to hold a deep defensive unit towards the end of the first period, with Diego Simeone’s men adapting a strong structured line out, aiming to hit their city rivals with a dashing counter-attack.

Ancelotti’s Galacticos dominated possession and tested in-form Oblak constantly, with Bale’s sweet long-range strike forcing Atletico’s keeper to get down rapidly, before James Rodriquez channelled his World Cup form to curl an immense effort towards the far post, only to be stopped again.