Malaga 0 - 0 Atletico de Madrid - Malaga held by Atletico

Atletico Madrid picked up only their second away point of the Primera Division season as they shared a goalless draw with Malaga in Diego Simeone's first match in charge.

Atletico had lost six of their opening seven matches on their travels this term, contributing to a hugely disappointing start to the campaign that led to Gregorio Manzano being dismissed as coach just before Christmas.

Former midfielder Simeone was named as Manzano's replacement and his first match in the hotseat saw Atletico claim a hard-fought draw against big-spending Malaga at La Rosaleda.

Malaga, who led 2-0 against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie in midweek only to end up losing 3-2, had the better of the early exchanges and Atletico were indebted to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for keeping his side on level terms.

The Belgian teenager, who is on loan from Chelsea, did well to deny Diego Buonanotte at his near post after the Malaga man had latched onto a diagonal ball over the full-back.

Courtois then produced an even better stop in the 18th minute to tip over Jose Rondon's powerful header.

Atletico's first real threat came on the half-hour and very nearly produced the opening goal as Diego's shot from inside the area took a deflection off a Malaga defender before smashing against the crossbar.

Atletico, who had lost four of their last five matches in 2011 including two embarrassing defeats against third-tier Albacete in the cup, had the ball in the back of the net at the start of the second half when Radamel Falcao headed in from a corner.

However, the visiting side's celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed for a foul.

The Rojiblancos continued to look the more likely scorers and again came close to breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute when Diego Godin rose unchallenged at a corner to power a header goalward, but the ball was blocked on the line by Santi Cazorla's chest.

At the other end former Real striker Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to get a decent connection with his head on a half-chance at the far post, before Diego curled the last chance of the match just wide for Atletico.