There was nothing between them at the start of the game and there is still nothing between — Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both made it to 50 points at the half way point of the season with a point a piece in the Calderon.

On-loan Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtios was Atletico’s hero saving well from Leo Messi in the second half. The Argentine had started on the bench and replaced Andres Iniesta at half time.

His introduction was not enough to break the meanest defence in the division with Courtois keeping a clean sheet against La Liga’s highest scorers.

The last time Atletico Madrid had this many points at the half way point they won the league in the 1995-96 season. But it is Barcelona who stay top on goal-difference and in the last seven years the team who have led at this stage have gone on to be crowned Champions.

‘There is no reason to believe Atletico will not stay the distance” said Barcelona coach Tata Martino who defended his decision to leave Leo Messi and Neymar on the bench at kick-off. “They were not fit to start the game,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you can say these things come off and sometimes not maybe this time neither was the case.’

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said: ‘Between Barça and us there is just a slight 400m euros difference. My players always give everything and that was the case tonight.’

Atletico Madrid started well and striker Diego Costa went down on the edge of the area after a Javier Mascherano challenge but the referee waved away appeals for a foul.

Pedro was justifying his selection ahead of both Neymar and Messi in the opening minutes and had a shot saved by Thibaut Courtois down to his right.

Iniesta went down with a knock to the knee after clashing with Koke and Neymar was immediately sent to warm-up.

Diego Costa then forced a corner as Pique blocked his shot to goal. Corners were always going to be Atletico Madrid’s best chance of scoring and they forced four in the first half an hour. Miranda glanced a Koke kick just wide with their best chance from them. Pique then forced a save from Courtois with a shot from distance.

Pedro sent over another dangerous cross and then got on the end of an Iniesta cross but could not keep his header down.

On 40 minutes he crossed again from the right but Xavi could not get over the ball as met the centre on the volley and another Pedro cross was just behind Alexis.

A Pedro-inspired Barcelona had dominated possession and Atletico midfielder Gabi was booked for kicking Andres Iniesta just before the break and the midfielder did not come out for the second half but Messi did. The Argentine had not warmed up out on the pitch but he took his place on the pitch at the restart.

Godin was booked inside the first minute of the second 45 minutes and Costa then clattered into Messi who forced the corner which Fabregas put wide. Jordi Alba was booked for bringing down Juanfran and from the free-kick Atletico were unable to test Victor Valdes. Atletico were having the best chances at the start of the second half and Arda Turan fed Costa who pulled his shot wide.

Atletico supporters were now sensing that their team were close to scoring Barcelona coach Tata Martino perhaps had the same feeling bringing on Neymar.

The game was still more bumper cars than Formula One and Costa this time clashed with Mascherano catching the Argentine in the mouth as they both went to ground. He got revenge moments later and was booked for the challenge on the Atletico forward.

Messi had been quiet since his half-time introduction but then had the chance of the second half beating a path through the heart of Atletico’s defence and feeding Jordi Alba wide left. The Spain full-back crossed perfectly but Messi headed wide.

Arda’s shot was then blocked by Valdes and Barça countered allowing Courtois to earn his team a point. Messi skipped over a challenge on the edge of the area and shot hard and low but the Belgian got down well to make the save and keep Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten home record in-tact.

—Daily Mail