Atletico Madrid shares spoils with 19th-placed Leganes

Diego Simeone was unable to get a response from his team after Copa del Rey disappointment, as they draw 0-0 with struggling Leganes.

Roque Mesa and Joao Felix.

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on La Liga pacesetter Real Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday with a dismal goalless draw at home against 19th-placed struggler Leganes.

Atleti went into the game on the back of a chastening league defeat to Eibar and a Copa del Rey loss to third division Cultural Leonesa, but the home crowd still showed loud support for coach Diego Simeone at the start of Sunday's game.

They had little to cheer about as the match progressed, however, as their side struggled to create any real chances and had to rely on two impressive saves from goalkeeper Jan Oblak to prevent Leganes from taking the lead.

Leganes looked more likely to break the deadlock in the second half too as a deflected shot from midfielder Recio narrowly fizzed over the bar while Atleti, which badly missed creative midfielder Koke, continued to lack inspiration.

The visitor had to play the final minutes of the game with 10 men as goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar was sent off in added time for a second booking for time-wasting but Atletico never looked like taking advantage.

The draw leaves Atletico fourth in the standings on 36 points, seven adrift of leader Barcelona which lost 2-0 at Valencia on Saturday and also seven behind second-placed Real Madrid which plays away to Real Valladolid later on Sunday.