Atletico Madrid Fail To Take Advantage, Held To Frustrating Draw By Celta Vigo

Atletico Madrid blew the chance to claim the lead in La Liga with a 1-1 home draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday, but played most of the game with 10 men after Pablo Barrios' seventh-minute red card. After champions and leaders Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Osasuna earlier on, Diego Simeone's side were aiming to capitalise at their Metropolitano stadium. However Barrios' early sending-off set Atletico back and Iago Aspas fired Celta ahead in the second half from the penalty spot. Atletico target man Alexander Sorloth rescued a point for the Rojiblancos with a fine strike in the 81st minute, keeping them a point behind Los Blancos.

"When we were left with 10 men it's very difficult... the team tried everything," Atletico midfielder Koke told DAZN.

"We defended well, we suffered when we had to. Obviously we're still in the fight for the title.

"We have to continue and keep working, there's still a long way to go."

Barrios, who was also sent off in the first half of a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen in January, flew into a reckless high tackle on Pablo Duran.

The Spaniard was dismissed in the seventh minute after a VAR review.

Atletico dug deep and kept Celta at bay in a first half with few chances of note.

The Galician side, with an extra player, had control of the ball but Atletico were happy to stop them from creating danger, with Antoine Griezmann chipping in with plenty of defensive work.

Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a simple save to deny Marcos Llorente, who could not get much power on a shot from the edge of the box.

The visitors took the lead when Robin Le Normand trod on Borja Iglesias's foot and pointed to the penalty spot.

Veteran striker Aspas, 37, sent Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak the wrong