Atletico Madrid welcomed Getafe to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday looking to end a three-game winless run in La Liga.
The home side took the lead after just three minutes when Fernando Torres headed a Koke free kick into the top corner, before Tiago headed a second in the latter stages of the first period.
Getafe, who remain just four points clear of the drop zone, improved in the second half, but could not make the breakthrough as the hosts recorded all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below;.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome near-neighbours Getafe. The home side have dropped off the pace at the top of the table in recent weeks, while they are also not certain of a place in the top four. Can Getafe make it four league games without a win for the defending champions? Let's hope for a cracker here.
Before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Gamez; Koke, Gabi, Tiago; Turan, Jimenez, Torres
GETAFE: Guaita; Vigaray, Velazquez, Naldo, Escudero; Castro, Lacen, Sarabia; Leon, Fredy; Alvaro
So there we have it. Plenty of change in the Atletico XI this afternoon, with injuries and suspensions hitting the Spanish champions. Mario Mandzukic, Miguel Moya, Raul Garcia and Saul Niguez all miss out through injury, while Miranda is unavailable after picking up a red card against Espanyol last time out. Jan Oblak starts between the sticks, while Fernando Torres and Raul Jimenez are paired together in attack. Tiago and Diego Godin also return following their European suspensions.
Getafe, meanwhile, are without the suspended Juan Rodriguez, while Juan Valera and Alexis are still out injured. Uruguay centre-back Emiliano Velazquez, who is on loan from Atletico, starts against his parent club, while there is also a spot in the team for Fredy Hinestroza. In-form forward Alvaro Vasquez, who has scored nine league goals this season, leads the line for the visitors.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won three of the last five games and remained unbeaten in the process. Diego Simeone's side won 1-0 at Getafe in the reverse match earlier this season, while they recorded a 7-0 victory in the corresponding match last term.
In truth, Atletico's league form has stuttered in recent weeks, with three successive draws leaving them fourth in the table, four points behind third-place Valencia and now nine points behind the league leaders Barcelona. Sevilla are also now also only four points from the top four and therefore the champions need to return to winning ways as soon as possible. On Tuesday, however, they booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by overcoming German side Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.
Atletico's home form has not been a problem whatsoever this season. They have won 11 of their 14 league games in this stadium – scoring a solid 35 times in the process. However, it has been a different story on the road, where they have dropped points in seven of their 13 matches.
Getafe, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad on Monday. The capital outfit have won three of their last six in the league, however, with that run of form moving them into 13th position in the table. That said, as it stands, they are only four points clear of the relegation zone, with Levante currently sitting in 18th.
As expected, Getafe's home form has been stronger than their away form this season, but they have picked up points in five of their 13 away games, which is far from disastrous in relation to the teams around them. They have already had three managers already this season, meanwhile, and it is Pablo Franco that currently rules the roost after replacing Quique Flores, who left last month.
PREDICTION! Have a look at what I had to say about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The home supporters expect here. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway in Madrid.
Not quite a full stadium this afternoon, but there is a good atmosphere. It is a miserable old afternoon in Madrid, with the rain pouring down! Getafe immediately attack from kickoff as Leon drives down the right, but his cross is collected by Oblak, who releases Juanfran down the right.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Getafe (Torres)
Well that did not take long! Torres is finally off the mark in the league for Atletico as the Spaniard heads a Koke free kick into the top corner. Excellent header from Torres, who celebrates wildly!
Not quite the start that Getafe would have had in mind that is for certain. It is all Atletico in the early moments as they continue to dominate possession in the final third. Getafe just need to settle.
The home side continue to force the issue as Gabi delivers a dangerous corner towards Godin, but Naldo is on hand to head clear. Jesus Gamez picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It has been a very good start from the hosts here.
POST! Atletico come close to scoring their second of the match as Koke rattles one towards the bottom corner, but the midfielder's effort hits the post before hitting Guaita and it somehow stays out.
Getafe have had bits and bobs in the final third, with Vasquez causing problems with his pace and power, but it has been a game dominated by the home team thus far. You just get the feeling that Getafe need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance here. It has been an entertaining start.
Just a reminder that three points would keep Atletico fourth, but they would be just one point behind third-place Valencia, who thumped Elche 4-0 last night. Atletico have another half-chance as Torres breaks before feeding Gabi, but the skipper cannot cushion a pass into Jimenez.
CLOSE! Atletico come close to a second as Jimenez strikes one from outside the box, but his effort just moves wide of the post. The home side are really threatening to double their lead here.
Atletico are threatening to run riot here as Gamez drives down the left before sliding a pass beyond the Getafe defence, but Guaita is out to collect at the vital moment. Still 1-0 Atletico.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to score a second as Jimenez sets up Koke inside the box, but his effort is straight at Guaita. Atletico could be three or four ahead here.
Gamez is causing all sorts of problems in a wide area as he continues to break into the final third, but the full-back's latest cross is collected by Guaita. Nothing much from Getafe at the moment.
Atletico are without Mandzukic this afternoon, while Griezmann is on the bench, but both Jimenez and Torres are causing Getafe all sorts of problems. Torres has another half-chance after finding space in the final third, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Getafe as Fredy dances into the Atletico box, but the Colombian takes too long to release a strike and Gimenez makes the block. Why didn't he shoot!
Sometimes these early La Liga starts take a little while to get going, but that has not been the case here. Plenty of opportunities at the Calderon, but the score remains 1-0 to the hosts.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Getafe as Lacen releases a pass beyond the Atletico defence, but Alvaro is beaten to the ball by Oblak and the danger is cleared. End-to-end here!
The visitors have been the better team in the last five minutes or so, but you just get the feeling that they might be made to regret missing a couple of good chances. It is a good game now.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, with a couple of late challenges interrupting the flow of the match. Atletico still lead courtesy of that early Torres header.
You just get the feeling that there might be something in this match for Getafe if they can stop Atletico scoring a second, especially in this first period. Again Fredy breaks down the left for the visitors, but his cross is straight into the arms of Oblak. Not long left in this entertaining first half.
BOOKING! Naldo (Getafe) is booked for a strong aerial challenge on Torres.
Atletico threaten from a couple of free kicks, but Naldo and then Escudero are on hand to clear. Torres is certainly putting himself about, meanwhile, as he wins yet another set piece for his team.
Torres has been very, very lively in this first period, but the Spaniard's latest run is cut short by the offside flag. Atletico remain strong at the back as Godin denies Vigaray in a wide position.
CHANCE! Gimenez comes close to doubling Atletico's lead after meeting a corner from Koke, but his header is blocked on route to goal. Strong pressure from the hosts as we approach the break!
CHANCE! Turan is next to come close for Atletico, but his header from yet another corner is just high of the crossbar. Getafe are just about holding on, which is so important at this stage.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Getafe (Tiago)
Atletico double their lead with 44 minutes on the clock as Tiago heads home after Jimenez had flicked a Koke free kick towards the far post. Another goal from a set piece! Big moment.
It is perhaps a touch harsh on Getafe, but the hosts have had so many opportunities.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Torres and Tiago. It took just three minutes for the hosts to open the scoring, before Tiago headed a second late in the half. It is a long way back for Getafe in Madrid.
STATISTICS! Atletico have had 60% possession thus far, while they have had 10 attempts - five of which have been on target. Getafe, on the other hand, have only managed one attempt off target thus far. Meanwhile, Naldo (Getafe) is the only player to have his name taken by the referee.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico are without a number of first-team players for this match, but Diego Simeone has options on his bench in the shape of Cani, Griezmann and Suarez. Getafe boss Pablo Franco, meanwhile, has the likes of Diawara and Yoda in reserve. Will we see any alterations at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Getafe find a route back into this Madrid derby? It is the hosts that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes for either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 2-0 for the next 15 minutes or so here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Getafe have enjoyed a decent spell of possession. Their final ball simply has to improve in this half.
Getafe have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Gamez brings Leon to the ground. Leon rises to his feet to take the free kick, but Tiago is on hand to clear with a super defensive header.
Atletico have just started to dominate possession in the second period, with Turan forcing a corner following good work down the right. Moments later, the home side have a free kick as Godin is hacked down by Vigaray. Another goal for Atletico would surely kill Getafe's hopes.
Koke delivers the resulting set piece, but this time there are no takers.
Alvaro faces up to Gamez in a wide position and wins a corner for the visitors, but once again the danger is cleared as Atletico remain strong at the back. The second period has warmed up now.
If Atletico do indeed win this match, there will be just six points separating the top four in La Liga. Of course, Barcelona and Real Madrid play their game in hand tomorrow evening at the Camp Nou. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Atletico still lead 2-0 at the Calderon.
BOOKING! Vigaray (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Koke.
Tiago misses an absolute sitter for the home side, but the offside flag had been raised and it would not have counted. Somehow the midfielder fired wide from barely three yards! Horror!
Griezmann will soon join us for Atletico as he readies himself to enter the match.
Jimenez has a half-chance for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Getafe goalkeeper. Still 2-0 with 61 minutes played.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Sarabia.
Excellent chance for Leon to threaten Oblak from a free kick here...
... Leon strikes his set piece straight into the wall. Poor from a player of his quality.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Griezmann replaces Jimenez.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the second period, with Atletico just closing space in the final third and keeping possession. Getafe have been more adventurous since the interval, but have really struggled to create opportunities. Little over 25 minutes of normal time remaining.
Getafe just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the home side continue to exploit the space in wide areas. Gamez delivers towards the far post, but Guaita is out to claim ahead of Torres.
Still no movement on the Getafe bench, which is a surprise at this stage of the match.
Getafe threaten with another deep corner, but Gimenez is on hand to head clear. Escudero then picks up the pieces outside the box, but his low effort is pushed wide of the post by Oblak.
Getafe force yet another free kick in a wide area, but again it is an Atletico head that makes first contact with the cross from Leon, whose delivery has been well short of his usual standard here.
SUB! Getafe make their first change as Yoda replaces Fredy.
Getafe have arguably had the better of the second period, but Atletico are in control with little over 15 minutes of football remaining. Can Getafe set up a grandstand finish with a goal here?
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for dissent.
Good spell for the home side in the last couple of minutes as Torres works the ball into Juanfran, but his low cross from a wide area is blocked. Atletico keep the pressure on, however, when Naldo fouls Griezmann in an advanced position. A third would round this off nicely for the home side.
CHANCE! Quite comfortably the best chance of the second period as Juanfran flashes a super cross into Torres, but the Spaniard's header is just high of the crossbar. Should have been 3-0!
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Diawara replaces Leon.
Atletico are very much in control of this match as we enter the final 10 minutes of football. Getafe have given it a real go in the second period, but they are struggling in the final third.
Yoda appears to have a problem for Getafe following a clash with Gamez...
... it does not look too good for the attacker, who is still on the ground undergoing treatment.
SUB! Yoda is stretched off the field, with Felip the attacker's replacement.
Felip comes close to making an immediate impact for the away side after meeting a loose ball outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Gimenez. Still 2-0 Atletico in the latter stages here.
Half-chance for the home side as Tiago meets a loose ball outside the box following excellent work from Torres, but the midfielder's effort was always flashing just wide of Guaita's post.
Not too much happening at the moment as we approach second-half stoppage time in Madrid.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
SUBS! Atletico make a double change as Torres and Turan are replaced by Cani and Suarez.
Atletico remain in control of the possession as we enter the final minute of added time.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 2-0 winners over local rivals Getafe. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
