Atletico hold Barca to draw

A tense 0-0 draw at home to co-leaders Barcelona on Saturday left Atletico Madrid level with the Catalans atop La Liga.

Both teams have 50 points at the halfway stage, with Barca tapped as winter champions due to a superior goal difference. They are six points above third-placed Real Madrid, who visit mid-table Espanyol on Sunday.

Barca coach Gerardo Martino decided to leave South American strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar - both of whom have missed recent matches - on the subs' bench in the first half.

Atletico were the better team in the first half but failed to create any clear chances.

Martino brought on Messi and Neymar in the second half and Barca gradually took control, but without really coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Barca keeper Victor Valdes pulled off a sharp save from Atletico winger Arda Turan 11 minutes from time, then Messi was foiled by Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Earlier Saturday, an impressive 6-1 home slaughter of Almeria kept Athletic Bilbao in fourth place.

Bilbao's hero was winger Ibai Gomez, who scored a handsome brace.

Their other goals were scored by Mikel Rico, Ander Herrera, Aymeric Laporte and Aritz Aduriz.

Bilbao have won seven and drawn two home games since moving into their new Estadio San Mames in October. They are eight points above third-placed Real Madrid but four above rivals Real Sociedad, who are fifth.

"We are moving in the right direction. The team has grown stronger week by week. We have good players and the fans should be happy," said Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde.

Almeria, who seemed to be improving in recent weeks, are now 15th. Their coach, Francisco Rodriguez, admitted: "We were terrible today. But I prefer to lose one game by 6-1 than three games by 2-0."

Later Saturday, Celta Vigo came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1, thanks to a second-half brace from Brazilian striker Charles after Dani Parejo had given Valencia an early lead.

"This is a very important result for us. We suffered a lot today but it was really worth the effort," said Celta coach Luis Enrique.

Meanwhile, Valencia boss Juan Antonio Pizzi said: "They were better than us in the second half. We were short on energy towards the end, and that is worrying."