{"id":3286,"date":"2018-09-29T19:03:37","date_gmt":"2018-09-30T00:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=3286"},"modified":"2018-10-03T08:06:03","modified_gmt":"2018-10-03T13:06:03","slug":"madrid-derby-ends-in-goalless-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=3286","title":{"rendered":"Madrid Derby Ends in Goalless Draw"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Real Madrid missed the chance to go top of La Liga after they were held to a goalless draw by city rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n

Julen Lopetegui\u2019s side dropped points for the second match in succession following the 3-0 defeat at Sevilla in midweek.<\/p>\n

The Real boss would have been hoping for a response but it was barely an improved showing on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

And it would have ended in another loss had it not been for Thibaut Courtois\u2019 excellence on several occasions, playing against his former club for the first time since returning to Spain.<\/p>\n

Atletico were significantly more dangerous in attack, especially in the first half, with Courtois denying Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa in one-on-one situations.<\/p>\n

Real\u2019s best chance fell to Marco Asensio but Jan Oblak was quickly out to smother the danger.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, league leaders Barcelona also dropped points for the third match in a row as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde seemingly had one eye on Wednesday\u2019s Champions League trip to Tottenham as he started with Lionel Messi on the bench.<\/p>\n

However, the brilliant Argentinian came on and set up fellow substitute Munir El Haddadi to rescue a late point for the reigning champions.<\/p>\n

Athletic had deservedly taken the lead just before half-time through Oscar De Marcos.<\/p>\n

Sevilla are just a point behind Barcelona and Real Madrid after a 3-1 victory at Eibar.<\/p>\n

Second-half goals from Andre Silva and Ever Banega, who scored twice, the first from the penalty spot, set up a third straight league win for Sevilla.<\/p>\n

Joan Jordan pulled a goal back for the hosts deep into stoppage time but it was mere consolation.<\/p>\n

Kevin Gameiro\u2019s first-half goal gave Valencia their first win of the season, although they have lost only once in LaLiga, with a 1-0 success at Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n

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