Real Madrid and Atletico were gifted a rare chance to get their respective seasons back on track, ninety minutes to show their fans they are proud to wear their colours, while stopping Barcelona from opening an insurmountable gap at the top of La Liga table.
But in a performance as nervy as it was controversial, neither side managed to find the back of the net, practically giving away the title as soon as November. Real Madrid have never managed to come back from such a large points deficit and especially when the reigning champions seem to be in the midst of a crisis.
Their main problem is scoring goals. Last season, Zidane's men averaged 2.78 goals per game and they ended up claiming the title at La Rosaleda with Ronaldo opening the scoring, but so far this season, the team has struggled in front of goal, with a measly average of 1.83 goals per game.
There are still 78 points at stake but, while Barcelona appear to be unstoppable and are yet to be defeated, Real Madrid are compelled to triumph in both 'Clasicos' and they would still not depend on themselves. Zidane will have to hope for Valverde's side to be defeated at least twice.
The reality is daunting for 'Los Blancos'. Paulinho, whose summer signing was heavily criticised by home and away fans alike, has scored as many goals as the out-of-form 'bbc'. Benzema doesn't seem to get close enough to the opposition goal to pose a threat, Bale continues to struggle with his injuries and Ronaldo has not found the fluency and efficacious nature of his game he so much thrived on in the past.
The Portuguese striker wasted a gilt-edged chance with three minutes to go when he was found in the right channel of the area, but a heavy first touch and a worrying lack of speed allowed Lucas Hernandez to race back and block his finish before it fired past Oblak.
55 shots in La Liga and only one goal scored by Fifa's The Best. Marcelo gave away the ball 27 times, Kroos was also unusually erratic, and Isco found the burden of carrying the weight of the whole team on his shoulders was too large. It is almost impossible to come back from 10 points with a team that cannot bring back its best version. Is La Liga over in November?