Antoine Griezmann booed off during Atletico-Real stalemate

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid played out a scrappy goalless draw in the first derby at the Metropolitano, opening up a 10-point lead for Barcelona over the champions at the top of La Liga.

Both sides needed a win to revive their seasons, but cancelled each other out as defences came out on top in the first meeting between the two clubs at Atletico’s new stadium. It wasn’t a match for the purists, with so many key players out of form.

The hosts started the brightest, with Angel Correa passing up a golden opportunity after just five minutes, clipping a finish wide of the near post after a mistake by Raphael Varane. But that was as close as Atleti came to finding the net as Real Madrid took a grip.

But they couldn’t find the breakthrough either, with both Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo spurning opportunities. Varane cleared off the line from Kevin Gameiro in the second half, but a draw was a fair result and illustrated how both teams are struggling for form at the moment.

The reaction of the home fans at the Metropolitano as Antoine Griezmann was withdrawn midway through the second half was telling. Indeed, loud boos were heard as the Frenchman trotted off, demonstrating just how far he has fallen in just a few weeks. Now, it seems unlikely that he will remain at Atletico Madrid beyond the summer such is his poor form and apparent uncertainty over his commitment. Griezmann is no longer the poster boy for this club.

Real Madrid would have lost this game had it not been for the intervention of Varane, who made a remarkable clearance off the line to deny Gameiro in the second half. This was a case of two defences coming out on top, and on an individual basis Varane was the standout performer. That wasn’t exactly conducive to an entertaining encounter, but the Frenchman can be pleased with his personal contribution.

Atletico Madrid - Oblak 6, Juanfran 5, Savic 6, Godin 6, Lucas 7, Koke 5, Gabi 6, Thomas 6, Saul 5, Griezmann 5, Correa 7 . Subs - Torres, 5 Gameiro 6, Carrasco 5.

Real Madrid - Casilla 5, Carvajal 6, Ramos 6, Varane 7, Marcelo 5, Casemiro 5, Kroos 6, Modric 5, Isco 7, Benzema 5 , Ronaldo 5. Subs - Nacho 6, Asensio 5.

5’ WHAT A CHANCE! A toe poke from Varane puts Correa clean through on goal after a mix-up at the back by Real Madrid, but the Atleti forward clips his shot wide of the near post. That should be 1-0.

30’ GREAT CHANCE FOR KROOS! Fantastic link up play between the German midfielder and Ronaldo presents him with a wonderful chance, but he clips his effort past the near post.

79’ OFF THE LINE! Gameiro comes so close to scoring the opener! He clipped a lofted finish towards the empty Real Madrid net, but Varane got back to head off the line. Wow! Drama.

89’ BIG RONALDO CHANCE! It opened up for Real Madrid on the counter attack, with Marcelo playing the ball out to Ronaldo, but Lucas makes the sliding challenge to block his effort.

Antoine Griezmann is currently on his longest goalscoring drought for Atletico Madrid in all competitions (eight games in succession).

Toni Kroos completed all of his 41 passes in the first half, at least 20 more than any Atletico Madrid player (Gabi).