Galatasaray and Atletico draw a blank

Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid played out an underwhelming goalless draw at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Both sides had their chances in the LFP World Challenge clash, but neither were able to break the deadlock as their preparations for the new season continued.

The likes of Mario Mandzukic, Koke and Arda Turan featured for the Spanish champions, while Alex Telles and Burak Yilmaz were among the starters for Cesare Prandelli’s side.

After a first half of limited opportunities, Turan thought he had opened the scoring early in the second half only for his header to be adjudged offside.

Diego Godin went close with a header that was well saved by Fernando Muslera, but a goal was not forthcoming in a disappointing encounter.

There were few chances in the opening exchanges, but Telles came close to opening the scoring 18 minutes in when his cross from the left almost caught out Miguel Moya in the Atletico goal.

Mandzukic did well to bring down a difficult ball soon after, but the former Bayern Munich man lacked support and the Turkish side were able to clear.

Gala were then aggrieved when Olcan Adin’s appeals for a penalty were waved away after he went down following minimal contact with Godin on the edge of the area.

Mandzukic then wasted the first opportunity of the second half, with the Croatia striker heading Koke’s deflected delivery over the crossbar from point-blank range.

Turan had the ball in the net soon after, only for the referee’s assistant to deem him offside before Fernando Muslera tipped Godin’s header over the crossbar.

Chances dried up late in the game, with both sides’ forays forward swiftly dealt with by their opposing defences and Yilmaz heading wide in the latter stages represents Galatasaray’s best chance to snatch a win.

Gala have just over two weeks to prepare for their Turkish Super Cup clash with Fenerbahce, while Atleti face Cadiz before taking on Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana.