Madrid, April 15 (IANS): Atletico and Real Madrid drew the first leg of a tense Champions League quarter-final 0-0 at the Vicente Calderon to leave everything open for next week's return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid dominated the first half of a fascinating tie on Tuesday night. But the home side fought back after the break and could have sneaked a win in the closing minutes, although Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal barely had to make a save all game, reports Xinhua.
Both sides were at close to full strength with Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez back for Real Madrid and Isco the unlucky player to miss out despite his excellent recent form.
The only minor surprise was that Rafael Varene was preferred to Pepe for the visitors despite Pepe having played 30 minutes at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann partnered Mario Mandzukic up front for Atletico, confirming what Atletico coach Diego Simeone had said in his pre-game press conference.
Many had wondered whether Real Madrid would take a conservative approach in a ground where they have already lost three times this season. But Carlo Ancelotti's side did just the opposite and looked to blow Atletico off the pitch in the opening minutes with their high pressure.
Bale should have scored when one-on-one with Jan Oblak after just four minutes. But the keeper made a good save before getting down well to block a Ronaldo free-kick from over 35 yards.
The game began to take on shape with Real dominating the ball while their neighbours sat deep, perhaps too deep, to try and play on the break. But with Mandzukic and Griezmann isolated, their only threat came from set pieces taken by Koke.
Oblak was becoming his side's best player with vital saves from Bale and Rodriguez on two occasions as the half ended without Real scoring the goal their dominance deserved.
Atletico got into things in the second half, although without clear chances and tempers flared with Ramos caught Mandzukic in the face with his elbow. The Atletico striker had to leave the pitch for treatment but the referee took no action against Ramos.
Benzema and Ronaldo had chances following a scramble but the play lacked the continuity of the first half and with 15 minutes remaining, Ancelotti replaced Benzema with Isco while Raul Garcia replaced Griezmann for Atletico.
Arda Turan brought the Calderon to its feet with a mazy run but his final ball went astray as tempers flared between Ramos and Garcia, both of whom were booked.
Fernando Torres and Garcia almost scored in late scrambles while Mandzukic's shot cannoned into Alvaro Arbeloa in the last minute as Atletico sounded a late change. But it ended 0-0 and everything will be decided next week at the Bernabeu.