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 way to put Celta ahead with his seventh league goal of the campaign.

Simeone turned to his bench for extra spark, bringing on Sorloth, Angel Correa and Conor Gallagher.

Atletico have relied on Sorloth largely as a super-sub this season and the Norwegian striker pulled off his favourite trick once more.

Sorloth overpowered defender Carl Starfelt and walloped home inside the near post to pull Atletico level.

Celta threatened in stoppage time but Atletico held on to claim a valuable point, even if they had hoped for three after Real Madrid’s draw.

“I’m very happy to get playing again (after injury)… we got a point at a very difficult place to go,” said Aspas, who last played in December.

“It’s true we had (many) minutes with an extra man, but we know how strong Atletico are. We’re a bit frustrated because we were close to winning.”

On Monday Barcelona, third, host Rayo Vallecano and can move level on points with Los Blancos if they win.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid were unstoppable last season, unless they were facing city rivals Atletico Madrid. The only two defeats Los Blancos suffered were inflicted by Diego Simeone’s side, who host Real Madrid on Sunday in a spicy La Liga derby clash. Atletico were the last team to beat Madrid in the top flight, just over a year ago, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men unbeaten in 39 games since.

The Rojiblancos also turfed Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in January 2024 in the last 16, which is the only loss Madrid have fallen to in the calendar year.

Madrid are without star summer signing Kylian Mbappe after he suffered a thigh injury in the midweek win over Alaves, but still have a galaxy of attacking stars to call on.

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, often the target of abuse from Atletico supporters, has hit top form ahead of the derby, while midfielder Jude Bellingham may be given more attacking responsibilities.

Young striker Endrick is another option for Ancelotti, with the Brazilian teenager impressing off the bench when given chances to play so far.

Another option is to play with Luka Modric as an extra midfielder in a return to the 4-4-2 formation rather than maintaining the 4-3-3 used so far to help Madrid minimise Atletico’s threat.

After a sluggish start to the campaign where Madrid drew at Mallorca and Las Palmas inside the first three league games, now Los Blancos have won five in a row across all competitions.

“We’re getting better and it suits us because the schedule is very demanding,” said Ancelotti this week.

“We’ve come back well after the break and we want to continue like this for Sunday’s game, which is going to be very tough.”

Madrid, second, trail leaders Barcelona by four points and it could be seven by the time the derby kicks off with Hansi Flick’s side facing Osasuna on Saturday.

Atletico come into the match two points behind Los Blancos after a fortunate late 1-0 win at Celta Vigo, earned by Julian Alvarez‘s 90th-minute strike.

“(The derby) is a very important game… We have to prepare and think well about this match that will be important for what’s to come, and for the season,” said Alvarez.

The forward could start after coming off the bench against Celta, with Simeone using Alvarez in a variety of different roles so far.

“He’s a versatile player, he can play upfront, he can play (in midfield), he gives us more options,” said the coach.

Player to watch: Aimar OrozThe Osasuna midfielder is his team’s biggest hope of denting Barcelona’s 100 percent record when the Liga leaders visit El Sadar on Saturday. Oroz, 22, offers a decent goal threat in support of Croatian target man Ante Budimir, as well as energy to battle with Barca in the middle.

Key stats

14 – Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has made the most interceptions in the league.

21 – Barca winger Lamine Yamal has been fouled the most in the top flight.

27 – Saves made by over-worked Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, more than any other goalkeeper.