Depleted Real Madrid ended a disappointing week with a 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon on Saturday, handing champions Barcelona the chance to open a three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Real's city rivals Atletico, in their first match since Friday's sacking of coach Abel Resino, had earlier conceded a farcical last-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with nine-man Real Mallorca, and third-placed Sevilla were held 0-0 at home by Espanyol thanks to a string of superb saves by Carlos Kameni.
Manuel Pellegrini's Real side were hoping for a confidence-boosting win at a rain-drenched Molinon after Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League loss to AC Milan. But Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema had joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy on the injury list, leaving Raul as the only recognised forward, and they found it tough to break down a spirited Sporting side. Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas had to be alert to deny in-form forward Miguel de las Cuevas just before halftime, before Esteban Granero prompted a fine save from Juan Pablo after good work from Kaka.
Real had the lion's share of possession in the second period and pressed for a winner, Xabi Alonso flashing a drive over the bar and Raul having an effort ruled out for a Kaka handball.
Tempers began to fray as the tension mounted, and Mahamadou Diarra appeared to lash out at Alberto Rivera, but with Pellegrini looking an increasingly forlorn and soggy figure on the sidelines Sporting held on for a deserved point.
Atletico's miserable season took a turn for the worse a day after Resino was replaced by Quique Sanchez Flores and they are down in 14th place with only one win from eight matches. Diego Forlan missed one penalty in the first half but recovered to net another, only for teenage goalkeeper David De Gea to allow Borja Valero's tame cross-shot to deflect in off his legs in the final minute of normal time.
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