Atletico Madrid welcomed Espanyol to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday knowing that a win would see them close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points.
The home side took a one-goal lead into the interval courtesy of an early strike from Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico had chances to add to the scoring in the second period, but Griezmann's effort remained the difference between the two teams as the capital side strengthened their grip on second spot.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Barcelona's clash with Sociedad means that we have a quick turnaround here and live La Liga action from Madrid is upon us as Atletico Madrid welcome Espanyol. The home side remain second in the table, but have dropped seven points behind the leaders Barcelona following their win earlier this afternoon. As for Espanyol, last weekend's much-needed victory over Malaga moved the Barcelona-based team into 10th position in the table. It should be a good game!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Luis; Tiago, Saul, Koke; Oliver, Vietto, Griezmann
ESP: Pau; J.Lopez, Alvaro, Roco, Fuentes; Diop, Abraham, Hernan, V.Alvarez; Asensio, Caicedo
So there we have it. Interesting team news from the Atletico camp, with Jose Gimenez, Oliver Torres, Saul Niguez and Luciano Vietto all being given starts. That means Stefan Savic, Yannick Ferreira-Carraco and Fernando Torres have dropped to the bench, but Antoine Griezmann keeps his spot in the final third. Juanfran also continues at right-back after shaking off a recent injury.
As for Espanyol, there is a start for on-loan Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio, who has been in fine form this season. Felipe Caicedo is picked to lead the line for the Barcelona-based team, while Hernan Perez, who scored twice last time out, will continue to operate in a midfield role.
So there we have it. Teams in and now just five minutes until kickoff in Madrid. Atletico booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Galatasaray during the week and they are also unbeaten in their last six in the league, four of which have been wins. Last weekend's 1-0 win over Real Betis moved Atletico above Real Madrid in the table and they are the team pushing Barcelona at this stage of the campaign. Diego Simeone will demand another win here!
The goals have not exactly flowed this season, but Atletico have only conceded six times in their 12 league games this season, which is the best record in the division. They did not really challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid last term following their title success in the 2013-14 campaign, but they look capable of launching a strong challenge this time around.
As for Espanyol, they have been a bit of a mixed bag this season. The 2-0 win over Malaga last time out was their first victory in four matches, but they are comfortably in 10th position, six points outside of the relegation zone. Indeed, victory this evening would see them join Valencia on 19 points, which is an indication of the lack of consistency from the majority of teams this season.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Atletico respond after that thumping Barcelona win over Sociedad? Espanyol will also be looking to build on their solid win and indeed performance over Malaga. Right, it is the visitors that will kick off...
... as expected, it has been a bit of a frantic start in Madrid, with both teams attempting to put down a marker with some strong challenges in the early exchanges. Espanyol's use of the ball will be important this evening, with Atletico so strong and compact in defensive areas of the field.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Espanyol (Griezmann)
Well that did not take long! The home side make the breakthrough in the third minute as Oliver delivers a super low cross from the right and Griezmann sweeps the ball into the back of the net!
Atletico have been guilty of taking their time to get going this season, but that has not been the case this evening. The hosts are moving the ball very well and Espanyol are not in the game here.
It must be said that the home supporters are in wonderful voice at the moment and their team are still in control of matters on the field. Espanyol certainly have players capable of making a difference in the final third, but the likes of Asensio and Caicedo have seen little of the ball here.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges and Koke has the chance to send the ball into the Espanyol box. Godin rises along with a number of defenders, but Gimenez is ultimately flagged offside.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances since the first goal went in, but it is Atletico that are looking the more likely to score a second here. Caicedo has been forced to drop deep in a bid to see some of the ball for Espanyol, but the striker has been penalised for a couple of challenges.
It was an explosive start to this match, but the tempo has just dropped in the last few minutes, with Espanyol managing to close the space in defensive areas. It is a fascinating tactical battle between two teams that have been sent out to frustrate. Griezmann's goal remains the difference.
Half-chance for the home side to score a second as Luis delivers a low cross into Griezmann, but the Frenchman does not have the time to turn inside the box, with Pau quickly on the scene to claim and release Asensio down the other end. The opening 17 minutes have flown past here.
Espanyol manage to enjoy a period of possession inside the Atletico half, but they are finding it difficult to really find that elusive pass at the moment as Atletico continue to defend deep.
Atletico continue to threaten in wide positions, with Luis and Juanfran more than happy to break forward when the likes of Koke have the ball. Still no clear chances since the opening goal though.
Just a reminder that a win for Atletico would see them close the space on leaders Barcelona to four points, while Real Madrid are not in action until tomorrow, when they travel to Eibar. It has been a scrappy last few minutes due to the number of late challenges in central positions.
A late challenge from Diop presents Atletico with another chance to threaten from a free kick, but Koke's delivery is straight into the arms of the Espanyol goalkeeper and the danger is cleared. You just get the feeling that Espanyol cannot afford to concede a second goal in this contest.
Tiago is down for Atletico here and does not look comfortable at all...
... Atletico are indeed going to have to make a change here.
ATLETICO SUB! Tiago leaves the field on a stretcher and it is Ferreira-Carrasco that has entered for the home team. Tiago looked in serious pain and that could be a long-term problem.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico test Espanyol's goalkeeper with another strike from distance, but Koke's effort never had enough power to beat Pau.
There have been a lot of untidy challenges in this first period, but not a single yellow card thus far, which is a surprise. Espanyol have the chance to threaten from a free kick, but Godin, of course, is first to the ball and the home side manage to clear their lines. Still 1-0 to the home side here.
We have not seen too much from Caicedo in the first period and Espanyol will be keen to get their powerful striker in the game as the match develops. In truth, it has been a typical Atletico performance thus far - open the scoring and then shut up shop. It is a tactic that works!
Atletico break with number and threaten to score a second when Koke winds up outside the box, but his effort is straight at Alvaro, who stood tall knowing that he would be getting hit there.
BOOKING! Alvaro (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Gimenez.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico still lead courtesy of that Griezmann effort in the third minute. In truth, it has been a really scrappy game in Madrid.
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Vietto.
Alvaro is a touch fortunate to escape a red card here after another late challenge on Koke. Espanyol do not need to go down to 10 men at this stage of events, that is for sure.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a very early strike from Griezmann, who has been the liveliest player on the field at the Vicente Calderon. Espanyol, however, have largely struggled to make their mark in the final third.
STATS! Atletico have shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had six attempts - three of which were on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have only had one shot and that did not test Oblak. There have also been two bookings, but there potentially should have been a lot more!
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have already been forced into one change with Carrasco replacing Tiago. However, Simeone still has plenty of options in the shape of Correa, Thomas and Fernando Torres. As for Espanyol, the visitors have Moreno and Canas among their subs here.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second period. Can Espanyol find a route back into the match? It is the home side that get the second half underway...
... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period develops here.
Update on Tiago...
Tiago suffers a trauma to the right tibia. He's on his way to hospital for radiology tests to rule out a fracture.
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 28, 2015
Half-chance for the home side to score a second as Luis breaks into the box before poking one towards the top corner, but Alvaro is on hand to deflect his effort over the crossbar. Godin meets the resulting corner, but his header drifts wide and the visitors restart play with goal kick.
SAVE! Espanyol are living a charmed life at the moment as another low cross from Vietto causes problems inside the box. It is Griezmann that turns and strikes, but Pau makes the stop!
Atletico have the chance to threaten from yet another free kick, but this time it is Saul that heads over the crossbar from close range. It remains 1-0 to the hosts with 53 minutes on the clock.
Vietto has been very bright for Atletico this evening and the Argentine again finds space outside the box before trying his luck, but his effort was always over the crossbar. You really get the feeling that Espanyol cannot afford to concede a second if they are to get back into the match.
ESPANYOL SUB! Espanyol make their first change as Canas replaces Diop.
ATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Vietto for the home team.
ESPANYOL SUB! Moreno replaces Abraham for the away team.
This has not exactly been the prettiest of football games, but I suspect that Atletico boss Simeone will not mind one bit if the score remains the same. Winning is the name of the game for Atletico if they are to stand a chance of challenging for the title once again. Little over 30 to play here.
Atletico create another opportunity as Griezmann drives towards the Espanyol box before sliding a pass into Carrasco, but the Belgian was in an offside position. Pau was out to make a fine save, not knowing that the attacker was past his final defender. Super goalkeeping once again there.
Atletico are in control of the match at the moment and come close once again when Oliver strikes one from outside the box, but Pau is on hand to tip the Spaniard's effort over the crossbar.
Koke delivers another dangerous cross into the Espanyol box, but Oliver was in an offside position when he made contact at the far post. Espanyol are not really offering anything in the final third at the moment and the away side have made two of their three permitted changes. Still 1-0 here.
It has been a really scrappy last few minutes, with the referee continually forced to stop the play due to a number of late challenges. Atletico once again force a free kick in a wide area, but once again the quality is poor as Carrasco fails to beat the first man. It just has to be better there.
Espanyol still have not had a single shot on target in this match.
Thomas has been nice and positive for Atletico since entering the field, while the midfielder has also been more than prepared to help out in a defensive area. Simeone is acting as Atletico's cheerleader at the moment as he calls for more noise inside the Vicente Calderon here.
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and Atletico still lead courtesy of that early strike from Griezmann, which seems a long time ago. The hosts have been the better side for long spells of this match, but you just get the feeling that there will be at least one Espanyol chance late on.
ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaces Oliver Torres.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid are not in action until tomorrow, when they travel to in-form Eibar. As it stands, Los Blancos are nine points behind the league leaders Barcelona. Atletico are closing on an important three points, but there is still more than 10 minutes of football remaining.
POST! This game has been so stop-start that it has been difficult for either side to get any real tempo going for longer than a few seconds. Atletico have another chance to deliver a free kick from outside the box and Carrasco's effort is just flicked onto the post by the towering Godin!
Caicedo collides with his own goalkeeper and is forced to undergo a period of treatment.
ESPANYOL SUB! Sylla replaces Alvarez for the away team.
Little over five minutes of this contest remaining and Atletico still lead courtesy of that early strike from Griezmann, which at the moment, is consolidating second spot in the table for his team.
BOOKING! Javi Lopez (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Carrasco.
CLOSE! Fernando Torres does brilliantly to find space in a wide area before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort was always just over the crossbar. Great work there!
CLOSE! Another wonderful chance for Atletico as Carrasco sets up Koke just outside the box, but his low effort is wide of the post. That looked to be finding the bottom corner!
SAVE! Atletico continue to threaten a second goal as Thomas curls one from outside the box, but Pau is across to make a quite wonderful stop! That is excellent from the goalkeeper!
We are into the second of four additional minutes here.
Atletico continue to enjoy possession of the ball as we enter the final moments of this match. It appears that the hosts have done just about enough to collect all the points here.
BOOKING! Fuentes (Espanyol) is booked for dissent.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close at the Vicente Calderon with Atletico running out 1-0 winners courtesy of an early strike from Griezmann. The victory has moved Atletico to within four points of the league leaders Barcelona, while Espanyol remain 11th in the division. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
