Atletico Madrid welcomed Osasuna to the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday looking to continue their 100% start to the La Liga season.
They were ahead after 18 minutes when Diego Costa slotted home from inside the box, before he added his second with a powerful header, but Oriol Riera cut the deficit to 2-1 in the latter stages of the half.
Both sides had opportunities in the second period, but neither could add to the scoring as Atletico held on for all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Atletico will attempt to move level on 18 points with Barcelona this evening as they welcome struggling Osasuna to the Spanish capital. It has been a stunning start to the season for Diego Simeone’s side, with 15 points from a possible 15 leaving them in second spot in the table. However, Osasuna are currently 18th with just three points.
Atletico enter the match off the back of a 2-0 win over Real Valladolid at the weekend, while they also got their Champions League campaign underway with a 3-1 win over Zenit St Petersburg last week. In their last three matches, they have scored nine times. There is no question that they will be up there come the end of the season.
Osasuna, however, might have picked up a 2-1 win over Elche last weekend, but they are a team in crisis. They have lost four of their first five games and are indeed one of the favourites to drop out of the division this season. Results at places such as the Vicente Calderon will not define their season, but they will not want to be on the end of a hiding this evening.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO MADRID: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Insua; Tiago, Suarez, Koke; Turan, Costa, Leo
OSASUNA: Andres; Bertran, Arribas, Loties, Damia; Punal, Silva, Raoul, Armenteros; Sisi, Riera
So there we have it. Couple of changes for Atletico this evening with Leo Baptistao and Arda Turan both returning. Meanwhile, there is a start for Insua in defence. Osasuna, however, name their strongest available XI with Oriol Riera and Armenteros both selected in attack. Right, the home side get the action underway in the Spanish capital.
Lively start to proceedings this evening with Atletico attempting to force the issue with Turan, but his low pass towards Costa is intercepted by Damia. Osasuna are down the other end moments later, gaining a free kick as Juanfran fells Riera, but his cross is headed over the crossbar by Arribas.
It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Atletico have won all five of their league matches this season, but they sit second following Barcelona's win over Sociedad earlier this evening. A deep cross from Leo causes problems in the Osasuna box moments later, but Andres Fernandez manages to collect under pressure from Costa.
Not too much in terms of clear opportunities in the opening six minutes of football, but Atletico have started to enjoy more of the ball with the likes of Mario Suarez and Tiago enjoying possession. Osasuna, meanwhile, continue to commit players forward at every opportunity, with Miranda on hand to block a powerful effort from Armenteros.
It had been suggested that Osasuna would come and sit back this evening, but that has certainly not been the case. The away side force two corners in quick succession, but the first is cleared by Miranda before Armenteros flicks over the crossbar. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about thus far with Leo and Costa not influencing proceedings thus far.
Half-chance for Costa to open the scoring as he finds himself unmarked inside the box, but he just loses control at the vital moment, allowing Loties across to make the challenge. The resulting corner is delivered into the area by Turan, but Bertran rises to clear the danger. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
It is the away supporters that are making the noise at the moment, with their side more than matching Atletico on the pitch. Turan wins a corner for the home side moments later, but once more the delivery is not of the required standard. Leo has a header from close range moments later, but he cannot make proper contact at the vital moment.
POST! Osasuna come close to opening the scoring as Sisi strikes an effort from outside the box, but it smashes off the post via a deflection off Miranda. It would certainly have been against the run of play in the Spanish capital. Osasuna have come to play this evening there is no question about that. End-to-end opening 15 minutes of football this evening.
Atletico have just upped the tempo in the last couple of moments with a couple of corners causing problems in the Osasuna box, but the away side manage to clear the danger. Another low cross from Juanfran tests Osasuna moments later, but Loties is on hand to clear. It has been a high tempo start from Atletico, but they have not created a clear opportunity thus far.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Osasuna (Costa)
Atletico open the scoring after 18 minutes as Costa taps home from close range. It's wonderful work from Juanfran, whose low cross is placed into the back of the net by the Brazilian, who has been in fine form this season.
Well, it had been a bright start from Osasuna, but they now find themselves behind. You have to admire their willingness to attack this evening, but it will leave all sorts of space for the home side to operate. It must be said that the atmosphere remains simply stunning inside the stadium with the home supporters in fine voice on this warm evening in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to scoring their second as Costa delivers a dangerous cross into the box, Arribas meets it, but he almost heads into his own net. The resulting corner eventually finds Turan outside the box, but he curls his effort straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. One-way traffic at the moment.
Slightly untidy last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges from both sides. Still no sign of Osasuna attempting to soak up the pressure as they continue to force the issue in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Osasuna (Costa)
Atletico have their second of the evening and again it is Costa with the Brazilian thumping a powerful header into the back of the net following a fine cross from Turan. What a season he is having. Is that game over? Osasuna are in trouble in Madrid.
Osasuna simply cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment with Atletico running riot in the final third. Koke is again involved as he drives a wonderful cross into the box, but this time Arribas is on hand to make the clearance. One-way traffic with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Juanfran is again involved for the home side as the right-back meets a through pass from Turan, but it just runs away from the defender at the final moment, allowing Fernandez out to claim. Leo has a half-chance moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Osasuna stopper.
In fairness to Osasuna, they are attempting to play football in the final third, but they just cannot find that elusive pass inside the box. Just a reminder that Atletico have won all five of their league fixtures this season, but sit second with Barcelona winning earlier this evening against Sociedad. Incredible atmosphere with little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the area with the likes of Suarez and Koke seeing plenty of the ball. The latter has an attempt of his own moments later, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. One goal for Osasuna would just hand them some hope, but another goal for Atletico and it would surely be game, set and match at the Vicente Calderon.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Silva's header causes Courtois problems inside the box, but the Belgian just manages to collect under pressure from Riera. Atletico build from the back moments later with Costa finding Leo inside the box, but Damia is across to clear at the vital moment. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Another opportunity for the home side as Leo meets a cross from Koke, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Koke wins a free kick down the right moments later after a poor challenge from Armenteros, but the set piece is forced wide by Punal. Another goal before the interval and it would be curtains.
That goal almost comes as Koke's cross finds the head of Leo, but his header is just wide of the post. Osasuna are down the other end with Armenteros moments later, but the powerful striker is challenged by Miranda. Little over three minutes of football remaining in the first period.
GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Osasuna (Riera)
Osasuna score at a vital moment as Riera is on hand to turn home from a Sisi free kick. There will be complaints with Suarez off the pitch receiving treatment, but the away side have pulled themselves back into this match.
Suarez is not moving too well at the moment and it would be a surprise to see him reappear in the second period, especially with the Madrid derby against Real Madrid to come this weekend. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 2-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Atletico leading 2-1 courtesy of a double from Diego Costa. Osasuna have struggled to create opportunities thus far, but they managed to open their tally just before the interval with Riera on hand to turn home from close range.
STATISTICS: Atletico have had 71% of the possession thus far, while they have had three attempts to Osasuna's two. It has not been a particularly dirty first period, meanwhile, with the referee forced to issue just the single yellow card to Suarez, who might not reappear after suffering a knock in the latter stages of the half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of David Villa, Raul Garcia and Cristian Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Osasuna have the likes of Nunez, Manuel and Oier in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see changes in the early stages of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that there is another La Liga contest currently taking place with Malaga drawing 0-0 at the interval with Almeria. Atletico make a change with Gabi replacing Suarez. Right, Osasuna get the half underway in the Spanish capital.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result. A goal for Osasuna and it is very much game on, but it would be difficult for the away side to recover from a 3-1 deficit against a team such as Atletico. Fairly low-key start to the half with Atletico comfortable in possession of the ball.
Half-chance for the away side as Armenteros finds some space outside the box before moving past Miranda, but Godin is on the cover at the vital moment. Leo finds Costa down the other end moments later, but the Brazilian can only sweep his effort into the arms of the goalkeeper. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
Again Juanfran threatens down the right as he delivers a low cross into the Osasuna box, but Loties is across to make the clearance. The resulting corner, Atletico's sixth of the night, is delivered into the near post, but Fernandez is on hand to claim. Good pressure from the home side in the early stages of the second period.
Costa is again the target from a deep Koke cross, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Armenteros remains the main threat for Osasuna down the other end, but his low cross is gathered by Courtois. The home supporters are desperately attempting to get their team going as they continue to create a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium.
A powerful run from Loties threatens to harm the home side's defence, but Miranda is across to challenge at the vital moment. Not too much else from Osasuna in the last few moments, however, with Atletico in control of the possession. Surely a third would put the game beyond Osasuna. Poor moment from Fernandez moments later as he fails to gather a cross, but the referee blows for a free kick.
One-way traffic in the last couple of moments with the home side controlling possession outside the Osasuna box, but they have struggled to find that elusive pass in the second period. Koke does arrive in the Osasuna box moments later, but he had moved into an offside position. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Vicente Calderon.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with neither side creating too much in the final third. It would not be a surprise to see both managers look to their bench as the second period continues to gather pace. At 2-1, there is always a chance that Osasuna could claim a point. Leo continues to involve himself for Atletico, but the service has been slightly off-point in the second period.
CHANCE! Best chance of the second period for Osasuna as Armenteros capitalises on a mistake from Miranda before advancing on goal, but he fires wide of the post from close range. You simply have to take those type of opportunities against teams such as Atletico. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining with Atletico's 2-1 lead still standing.
Another half-chance for the home side as Koke stands over a free kick outside the box, but his delivery is straight onto the head of Loties. The home side look to their bench for the second time moments later as Villa, who arrived from Barcelona in the summer, replaces Leo.
Good spell for Osasuna as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is cleared by Miranda before Arribas heads straight at Godin from close range. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening with both sides still committing players to each attack. Damia has a half-chance moments later, but he fires high and wide from close range.
Osasuna look to their bench as Punal is replaced by Ariel Nunez for the final 20 minutes of football. Atletico have enjoyed the majority of the possession in the last couple of moments, but without really threatening to add to their tally. This one is far from over in the Spanish capital.
Juanfran enters the referee's book for dissent, which is not a popular decision with the home supporters nor Diego Simeone. Atletico continue to enjoy the majority of the possession in and around the Osasuna box, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest.
Half-chance for Turan as the Turkish international drives into the Osasuna box, but he can only clip his effort wide of the post when he should have found the back of the net. Not too much from Osasuna in the last few moments with the likes of Riera and Armenterous struggling for possession in the opposing half.
It is almost like a training match for the home side at the moment as they continue to dominate possession without really threatening to add to their tally. A couple of corners from Koke cause problems in the Osasuna box, but the first is cleared by Loties before Costa heads the second wide of the post from close range.
Osasuna have the opportunity to test Courtois from outside the box as Godin fells Damia. However, the delivery from Armenteros is directly into the arms of the home side's goalkeeper. Diego Simeone is very animated at the moment with his side just struggling for opportunities in the second period. However, they lead with little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, despite Atletico having a number of free kicks in decent areas outside the Osasuna box. Insua has a half-chance moments later as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but Fernandez is on hand to make the save.
Osasuna make their third change of the evening as Lolo enters the field in place of Loe, who has just tired in the second period. You just get the feeling that there will be opportunities for both sides in the final moments, but will they be taken? Little over five minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Rodriguez has an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of Fernandez's post. Costa leads another attack moments later, but Bertran is across to make the clearance. One-way traffic with 87 minutes on the clock, but Osasuna are comfortable in dealing with the threat as Gabi fires one wide from outside the post.
It has not been pretty from Atletico this evening, but they are a couple of minutes away from recording their sixth win of the league season. A late challenge from Tiago presents Osasuna with the opportunity to launch a deep ball into the Atletico box, but Courtois comes through a host of bodies to claim.
Gabi stands over a free kick outside the Osasuna box, but his effort is into the wall. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Atletico continue to pass and probe in the final third, but they have lacked invention in the second period.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Atletico picking up all three points with a 2-1 win over Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
