La Liga: Suarez inspires Barca; Real title hopes fade further after derby draw at Atletico


FE Online Desk | Published: November 19, 2017 09:37:23 | Updated: November 19, 2017 15:35:05


Suarez ended his goalless streak - which had run to 479 minutes - in all competitions. - Reuters photo

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid played out a goalless draw which left both teams 10 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

The best chance of Saturday's derby came in the third minute when Raphael Varane's terrible pass let in Atletico's Angel Correa, who shot wide from the edge of the box under no pressure, reports BBC.

Kevin Gameiro's chip was cleared off the line by Real's Raphael Varane, while Real midfielder Toni Kroos' late shot was parried by Jan Oblak.

Defending Spanish and European champions Real lost captain Sergio Ramos to a suspected broken nose.

The defender was replaced at half-time after being caught in the face by Lucas Hernandez's boot as he headed an effort wide.

Both sides' underperforming forwards had disappointing nights again.

Real's Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have scored only one goal each in their past eight La Liga games, were quiet, while Atletico's Antoine Griezmann, who looked so short of confidence, has failed to score in eight games.

Earlier in the day, Barca striker Luis Suarez snapped a goal drought spanning five games by scoring twice in his side’s 3-0 win at Leganes on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, while substitute Paulinho poked in the third goal in injury time, according to a Reuters report.

Barca lead the standings on 34 points from 12 games, seven clear of Valencia who visit Espanyol on Sunday, while Real are third on 24, level on points with Atletico in fourth. Sevilla are fifth after coming from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 at home.

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