Football: Nine-man Atletico draw at Getafe

Atletico have won just one of their last five league games.

MADRID:

Atletico Madrid lost more ground on Real Madrid in the race for second place in La Liga as they held on for a 0-0 draw at Getafe, despite being reduced to nine men.

The visitors had the better of the chances in the first-half, but had to ride their luck in the second as Getafe were denied a strong claim for a penalty before Mario Suarez was sent-off for a second yellow card.

Thibaut Courtois then had to make a fine save from Borja Fernandez with six minutes remaining, before Diego Godin was also given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. The draw means Atletico have now won just one of their last five league games.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2013.