Real Madrid were left to rue an injury crisis that has left them blunted upfront, as they drew 0-0 away to Sporting Gijon. In a match that was dominated by the hosts in the first half, Madrid stepped it up in the second with Gijon indebted to keeper Juan Pablo who kept them in the match with crucial saves from Kaká and Granero. It´s clear Madrid already rely too heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo, with ´Cristianodependencia´ the latest phrase coined by the national press, so Pelligrini´s got plenty of work to do on the training ground as they await his return.It seems there are no limits to the farcical situation at Atletico Madrid. 1-0 up at home and with Mallorca down to nine men for most of the second half, they somehow succumbed to a 92nd minute equaliser from Borja Valero. Atletico were gifted two penalties within the first 52 mins, with the first sent wide by Forlan, only to make amends with the second. Both those penalty decisions saw Mallorcan defenders handle in the area, and both saw them recieving their marching orders with second yellows. But instead of dominating, Atletico were caught out time after time and it was no surprise when Mallorca equalised at the death. The final whistle prompted ugly scenes as 500 fans attempted to gatecrash the president´s balcony, as the Vicente Calderon soap opera continues.
The other match on saturday saw Sevilla and Espanyol share the spoils in a 0-0 draw at the Sanchez Pizjuan. An entertaining match that swung from end to end, Sevilla were left frustrated by a fantastic performance from flamboyant keeper Carlos Kameni, who made several vital interventions, most notably a fingertip save from Perotti´s free kick. Sevilla piled forward after Pareja´s red card in the 60th minute, but to no avail. Sevilla are the only team that can be realistically expected to challenge the top two this year, so they´ll be disappointed not to come away with three points against a limited Espanyol side.
Sporting Gijon 0 - 0 Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Mallorca
Sevilla 0 - 0 Espanyol