Half-Time Report: Atletico Madrid frustrating Barcelona

Barcelona have been unable to break down the Atletico Madrid defence in a goalless first half at the Vicente Calderon.

The visitors lined up without Lionel Messi, who was named on the bench after missing training this week due to the birth of his child, but they dominated possession from the first whistle as Atletico looked to limit the space on offer.

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It was not long before a chance arrived as Andres Iniesta picked out Ivan Rakitic, whose powerful strike forced Jan Oblak to push the ball to safety.

A mistake at the other end almost handed Atletico the lead against the run of play, but Fernando Torres could only shoot over after intercepting a poor pass from Javier Mascherano.

Barcelona continued to look the more dangerous, however, and they wasted the best opportunity of the first half when an unmarked Luis Suarez could only volley against the crossbar from close range after Rakitic had flicked on a corner.

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Frustration would become anger for Suarez at the end of another Barcelona attack as Neymar twice decided against picking out the Uruguayan before seeing two efforts blocked.