Atletico Madrid welcomed Barcelona to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday with the pair level on 49 points at the top of La Liga.

Both sides had their moments during an entertaining contest, but neither could make the breakthrough as the points were shared in the Spanish capital.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two title rivals.

Match statistics

Atletico
Shots: 6
On target: 2
Possession: 31%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 17

Barcelona
Shots: 9
On target: 2
Possession: 69%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 9

Was the result fair?

In truth, neither side deserved to win or indeed lose this particular contest at the Vicente Calderon. The league's best two defences were in fine form this evening, with clear chances very much at a premium. Perhaps Barcelona shaded the first half, but Atletico were the more adventurous for a large part of the second. It is a case of as you were with both sides now level on 50 points after 19 matches.

Atletico's performance

As expected, Atletico were hard-working and incredibly compact in defence this evening, but they did not create too much in the final third. Diego Costa found it difficult to force the issue, while David Villa did not have too much of an influence against his former club. It is the type of match that was going to be decided by the odd goal, but the capital outfit couldn't find a breakthrough despite a number of positive moments in the second period. One thing is for certain - they are very much in this title race.

Barcelona's performance

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino made a big call this evening by benching Lionel Messi and Neymar in favour of in-form duo Pedro and Alexis Sanchez, but neither managed to hit top form against a sensational Atletico defence. Messi and Neymar both entered in the second half, but they also found the home side a tough nut to crack. Defensively Martino can be pleased, however, with Gerard Pique a tower of strength in the back four. The Catalan outfit will be the happier of the two sides with a point.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Arda Turan: It is rare that an attacking player gets the man-of-the-match award in a game that finished goalless, but Turan was exceptional this evening. The Turkish international was a constant menace in the final third with his movement, while he was also prepared to do the dirty work down the other end. He is a manager's dream.

Biggest gaffe

Costa had a wonderful chance to send Atletico into the lead in the first period after meeting a flick-on from Miranda, but the striker could only turn wide from close range. It was far from a clear-cut opportunity, but it was the type of chance that he has been taking this season.

Referee performance

Antonio Mateu had a difficult first period with both managers unhappy with a number of decisions. However, he issued just one yellow card in a frantic first half of action. It was a similar story in the second period and he might have sent Javier Mascherano from the pitch following a number of late challenges. The Spaniard was certainly guilty of leniency throughout, but he did not disrupt the flow of the match.

What next?

Atletico: The capital outfit are in Copa del Rey action against Valencia on Tuesday, with their last-16 clash level at 1-1 from the first leg in Madrid. Their next league fixture is against top-four hopefuls Sevilla next weekend.

Barcelona: Barcelona travel to Getafe for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash on Thursday with their place in the quarter-finals all but secure courtesy of a 4-0 win at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants then travel to Levante in La Liga at the weekend.