Atlético Madrid 0 - Espanyol 0

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Sergi; Gronkjaer, Luccin, Colsa, Antonio López; Salva (Nuñez 74'), Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Kameni; Jarque, Lopo, Pochettino, Ibarra; Soldevilla, Alex Fernández; Corominas (Fredson 74'), De la Peña (Jonathan 83'), Maxi (Oscar Serrano 71'); Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Velsco, Perea for Molinero, García Calvo / Espanyol: Soldevilla, Alex Fernández, Corominas for David García, Ito, Amavisca.

Goals: None.

Espanyol moved to within two points of the Andalusians after drawing 0-0 at Atlético Madrid. A win would have taken César Ferrando's side above their opponents, and with so much at stake both sides got off to a nervous start. The locals only managed a couple of efforts off target from Salva and Fernando Torres, and Lotina's side could have been in front by the break had Tamudo not shot wide when free on goal, and had Turienzo Alvarez not turned down a penalty appeal on the visiting striker.

Atlético came out strongly after the break, but the Catalans defended well until the referee awarded a penalty against them when Soldevilla handled in the area. However Kameni flung himself to his left to turn Torres's spot kick away for a corner, his fourth penalty save out of six this season.

The young striker had a chance to make amends a few minutes later with a header from a long cross, but once again the Camerooni keeper made a vital stop. Ferrando brought on Richard Nuñez for the last quarter of an hour, but his only contribution was a speculative long range shot which caused no problems for Kameni. Espanyol had saved a point largely thanks to their goalkeeper, and they consolidate their sixth spot in the table.