Alles wichtige » lona forward headed wide before forcing goalkeeper Thibau

MADRID, Spain -- Atletico Madrid and Barcelona showed the battle for the title would be a long, drawn-out affair after the Spanish co-leaders drew 0-0 in their first league meeting of the season on Saturday. Both teams finished the first half of the season tied on 50 points after an exciting, back-and-forth showdown at Vicente Calderon Stadium yielded no winner. Barcelona was troubled by Atletico pair Diego Costa and Arda Turan throughout, while second-half substitute Lionel Messi enjoyed the visitors best chances as the Barcelona forward headed wide before forcing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a clutch stop in the 81st. Neymar also came on in the second half for Barcelona but the Brazil striker made little impact as the teams played out their third straight draw following the summer Spanish Super Cup series. "It was like a game of chess," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "The game reflected where these two teams are in the standings." Atletico will remain encouraged about winning its first title since 1996 and dislodging the Barcelona-Real Madrid monopoly that has been broken only by Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia since. Real Madrid travels to Espanyol on Sunday knowing a victory will move it to within three points of the leaders. While Barcelona counted on its squad of regulars, Atleticos lineup was relatively unchanged down to Simeones all-black suit and jacket. The hosts started more brightly as Turans short cross along the goal-line was headed just over for the games opening chance four minutes in. The physical Diego Costa forced goalkeeper Victor Valdes into a save before awkward positioning kept him scoring from a headed-on corner in the 28th. Barcelona braved Atleticos early surge and its choking pressure up the field with its passing game, with Pedro Rodriguez heading over goal in the 33rd before Courtois saved Gerard Piques long, low shot. With Cesc Fabregas playing as a "false 9" Barcelona had trouble breaking through in attack. "We expected a very strong, disciplined, and unrelenting opponent. They dont leave any open space in their area and its very difficult to expose them," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "We just couldnt create enough chances on goal. It was a very intense game." Tension was building as the action moved end-to-end in the hard-fought, energetic match with Simeone warned by the referee to cool down just before the break. Andres Iniesta hurt his left knee and gave way to Messi to start the second half but it was Diego Costa who continued to prowl Barcelonas goal only to shoot wide in the 59th. Messi perhaps showed some rust from a two-month injury layoff when he headed Jordi Albas cross wide from the penalty spot at the other end. Alba and Daniel Alves made little impact in attack as the Barcelona fullbacks were cut off by Atleticos strikers. Atletico looked set to break through in the 79th but Turan volleyed a looping ball straight at Valdes, moments before Courtois denied Messis hard-taken shot from the left. "I dont know what will happen between now and the last 19 rounds but I expect Atletico to stay in the fight," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. Also, Athletic Bilbao maintained its grip on fourth by demolishing Almeria 6-1 while Valencias season-long slide continued with a 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo. Athletic enjoys a four-point cushion in fourth at the halfway point of the season, while Almeria sits three points above the drop zone. Celta moved three points clear of the relegation zone with the victory. Daniel Carrico scored in the last minute as Sevilla rallied to draw 1-1 at Elche. Andrew Billings Bengals Jersey . This time, Tebow was in a groove the entire second half -- not just in the waning minutes -- and his teammates on defence were getting gobbled up. Preston Brown Bengals Jersey . -- Theres been so much talk about Mike Moustakas at the plate that the third baseman ignored the conversation Wednesday -- even after doing something positive. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Mark-Walton-Jersey/ . Casey Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a strain in his left abdominal area and lower back. Sam Hubbard Jersey . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas. Custom Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill.LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles police say they are investigating a battery report from a fan who says Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford sprayed water in his face during Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Kings at Staples Center. LAPD spokeswoman Rosario Herrera confirmed the investigation for The Associated Press on Wednesday, shortly before the Blackhawks faced the Kings in Game 5 in Chicago. Crawford did not speak with the media after the teams morning skate. "I just heard about it on my way oover," coach Joel Quenneville said earlier Wednesday.dddddddddddd "First I heard of it. Im not aware of the situation other than what you just said. Im not worried about it right now. Im worrying about the game." Los Angeles had a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5. The report alleges Crawford used a water bottle to spray the face of the heckling fan, who was thrown out of the arena and later filed the complaint with police. Crawford finished the game on the bench in the Blackhawks 5-2 loss. 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