Barcelona, Atlético's tactical clash ends in a stalemate

Barcelona's Gerard Pique (left) was able to hold the red-hot Diego Costa in check on Saturday.

Andres Kudacki/AP

The draw ended Atlético's 100 per cent home record, and there must be a thought that if it was going to stay the course and really challenge for the title, it needed to gain an advantage over Barcelona now. It doesn't have the depth of squad of the two Spanish giants, and that could make it susceptible to injuries as the season goes on. Diego Simeone, though, seemed content enough at the end and, from his point of view, simply staying in the fight is probably target enough. And if Atlético is fortunate with injuries, it may yet be that the return match at the Camp Nou on the final day of the season is decisive in the title race.