It was fourth against second as Malaga welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Estadio La Rosaleda on Sunday.
Atletico looked the most likely to open the scoring in the first period, but they could not make the breakthrough as the sides entered the break level.
Malaga improved in the second half, but neither could find the back of the net as the points were shared in a 0-0 draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Perhaps the most fascinating fixture of the weekend is upon us as fourth-placed Malaga welcome Atletico Madrid, who currently occupy second position in the table. The home side enter the match having lost their last two, but Atletico have won three of their last four. Who will come out on top this evening?
In terms of the recent matches between the two sides, Atletico have won the last two encounters 2-1, but the last league clash in this stadium ended in a 0-0 draw in January 2012. Atletico will certainly enter the match full of confidence having lost just one of their last five games against Malaga.
Two of the best three defences in La Liga will battle this evening, with Atletico conceding just 23 times to Malaga’s 24. Malaga have been fairly strong on their own patch with seven wins from 13 matches, but Atletico have suffered all five of their league defeats this season on the road. It is all shaping up to be a sensational fixture.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Caballero; Demichelis, Weligton, Antunes, Gamez; Joaquin, Toulalan, Isco, Portillo; Santa Cruz, Piazon
ATLETICO: Courtois; Miranda, Juanfran, Godin, Luis; Suarez, Koke, Turan, Rodriguez; Falcao, Costa
Here we go then. Just a quick word on the main team news. Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Piazon start in attack for Malaga, with Portillo and Jeremy Toulalan also coming into the team in midfield. Atletico, meanwhile, continue with Radamel Falcao and Diego Costa in attack. Right, the home side get the action underway. Let's hope that it is a real cracker.
Of course every match in La Liga is important, but this is one of those matches which neither team can really afford to lose. Malaga have Valencia breathing down their necks in fifth position, while Real Madrid now sit just one point behind Atletico. Lively opening to the match as Joaquin drives into the Atletico box, but Diego Godin is across to clear.
It doesn't take long for Costa to get himself involved in the match as he rattles into a challenge with Jesus Gamez. Love him or loathe him - and plenty do - the Brazilian has been fabulous in recent weeks. Another half-chance arrives for Malaga from a Joaquin corner, but Miranda rises high to clear under pressure from Santa Cruz.
First bit of pressure from the away side comes down the left as Costa combines with Turan before attempting to find Falcao in the box, but the Colombian just cannot collect under pressure from two defenders. Costa has a half-chance of his own moments later, but somehow he clips over the crossbar from close range.
Again Costa is involved for the away side as he drives down the left before winning a free kick from Toulalan. The resulting free kick is fired into the penalty area by Koke, but Costa can only flick over the crossbar. Eight minutes on the clock and Costa has pretty much been involved in everything. He will make the headlines somehow.
Malaga have enjoyed a successful season to date, but they have certainly struggled for form in recent weeks. Although they cannot compete in the Champions League next season due to financial problems, they still will be keen to finish in the top four. Atletico have just started to take control of this match, however, with Luis and Juanfran prepared to attack from the full-back positions.
Another half-chance comes for the away side as Turan collects the ball on the edge of the box before firing an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always swerving away from the left-hand post. Nothing from Malaga as an attacking threat in the opening 12 minutes of this key fixture in Spain's top division.
Just as I say that Malaga advance forward with Joaquin, the Spaniard delvers a cross onto the head of Portillo, but he can only find the arms of Courtois. Either side of the Belgian goalkeeper and that would have been the opening goal. You just get the feeling that the first goal could prove decisive in this match.
The offside flag saves Malaga this time as Godin meets a cross from Koke, but the linesman had indeed raised his flag at the vital moment. Malaga are really struggling to keep hold of possession at the moment with wave after wave of Atletico pressure. Stunning start from Diego Simeone's side.
Falcao is not happy as he suggests that he was caught in the face by a flailing arm, but the referee waves play on. Meanwhile, it must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is just electric at the moment. Another long-range effort comes from Turan, but Caballero is more than equal to the danger once more.
Another half-chance comes to Atletico as Rodriguez strikes an effort from distance, but it was always moving wide of the post. There is just no pressure on the ball from Malaga at the moment. It is fourth against second, but Atletico look a class above.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side to open the scoring as Demichelis meets a corner from Joaquin, but he can only clip his header just wide of the post. That has certainly lifted the home supporters. The opening 22 minutes of this match has just flown by.
Slightly better from Malaga in the last couple of minutes with Piazon and Santa Cruz enjoying more touches of the ball. Eventually Antunes fires a searching cross into the box, but the danger is headed clear by Miranda. Meanwhile, both teams have been guilty of committing a number of fouls in the last couple of minutes.
Malaga have just managed to quell the Atletico threat in the last couple of moments, but have been unable to force the issue down the other end. On the face of it, a point would not be the worst result in the world for either side. Although I would be astounded if the match ended 0-0. Little under 20 minutes of the half remaining.
Slightly scrappy couple of minutes to the match with both sides guilty of committing a number of fouls in the opposing half. A high cross from Juanfran causes problems in the Malaga box, but Caballero comes a long way to collect. We have not seen much from Falcao in the opening 28 minutes - which means he will probably score four goals in the second period.
Juanfran is again involved for Atletico as he drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Antunes once more makes the clearance. Luis threatens down the other side moments later, but once more the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes with both sides cancelling each other out in the middle of the park. It is the type of match that might need some individual brilliance to open the scoring. Too many fouls continue to interrupt the tempo.
Costa is again involved for the away side as he collects possession before being bundled over by Demichelis. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Koke, but Demichelis is on hand to make the clearance. Decent pressure from Atletico, but Malaga have been quite comfortable in quelling the threat thus far.
Weligton becomes the latest player to have his name taken for a foul on Falcao outside the penalty area. Once more, Koke takes the free kick, but the quality of the delivery is poor. Anyone for a 0-0 draw here? Atletico have the best defensive record in Spain, while Malaga have the second-best.
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The supporters continue to make their voices known as the first period enters its latter stages. But they have not had much to get their teeth into in the opening 38 minutes. Unfortunately, Piazon and Santa Cruz have not really been unable to influence proceedings for the home side thus far.
Half-chance for the home side as Joaquin whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Courtois comes a long way to claim the danger. Antunes attacks from defence moments later before finding Portillo outside the box, but the Spaniard is forced back by a number of red and white shirts. There is just no room to operate around the edge of the box.
Falcao attempts to threaten on the counter as he gathers a long pass from Miranda, but the Colombian just loses control at the vital moment, with Malaga restarting play with a throw. Just about three minutes of the first period to play and the score remains goalless.
Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but Malaga's defence remains so compact with Turan eventually running out of room down the left. Costa attempts to find Rodriguez moments later, but the pass is just too long. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Atletico Madrid
It has been feisty, but no real chances for either side as the referee brings the first period to an end. Atletico have had just about the clearest opportunity when Costa drove into the Malaga box after four minutes, but he could only fire his effort wide of the point. Goalless at the interval.
STATISTICS: Atletico have just about dominated the possession with 55%, while they have had six attempts to Malaga's three. Despite the number of attempts, neither goalkeeper has really been called into action, with just one shot on target apiece.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Javier Saviola, Sebastian Fernandez and Duda. Meanwhile, Atletico have the likes of Adrian, Raul Garcia and Saul Niguez in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list.
As it stands, Atletico would remain second in the table, just two points ahead of Real Madrid. Malaga would remain fourth, but they would be just one point clear of fifth-placed Valencia. There is much to play for in the second period. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the action.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of the match. A reminder that following the completion of this match Real Sociedad welcome Real Betis. The away side get the half underway.
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There was not much to separate these two teams in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season with Atletico recording a 2-1 win. We could see this match won by the odd goal this evening. Atletico attempt to score straight from kickoff as Turan dances past two defenders before advancing to the edge of the box, but Toulalan is across to clear.
Atletico continue to force the issue as Costa collects possession on the edge of the box before sliding a pass towards Falcao, but Caballero was out to claim at the vital moment. Turan whips a dangerous cross into the box moments later, but Demichelis is across to clear before Koke fires wide.
Much more incisive from Malaga in the final third with Santa Cruz starting to see more of the ball in and around the Atletico penalty area. Eventually the danger is cleared with Falcao collecting down the other end, but the Colombian is crowded out. End-to-end football in the early stages of the second period.
Half-chance for the home side as Antunes drives a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Miranda just manages to beat Santa Cruz to the ball. In keeping with the flow of the match, Falcao comes close down the other end, but his effort is wide of the post before Costa gets himself involved in another altercation with Antunes.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes with both sides guilty of sloppy possession in the final third. It is the type of match that could be won by a moment of magic. Still no movement on either bench, although I suspect that will change in the next 10 minutes or so.
It's good work from Costa as the Brazilian striker drives away from the Malaga defence, but Antunes is across to clear. The resulting corner is whipped into the penalty area by Koke, but Santa Cruz is back to perform his defensive duties. Just about 30 minutes of football remaining here.
Costa does indeed pick up a yellow card, but for simulation! Quite incredible. He has made five or six challenges, but he gets booked for diving. You could not write it. Just a few signs that Malaga have started to drop deep. In truth, a 0-0 draw would not be the worst result in the world for either of these two sides.
It's good work from Joaquin as the Malaga winger collects possession outside the box before striking towards goal, but it is deflected behind for a corner. Meanwhile, Atletico make the first change of the match as Adrian Lopez replaces Costa. Probably a smart move from Simeone.
Malaga follow with a change of their own as Demichelis is replaced by Lugano. Little over 25 minutes of football to play and we still await the first goal. Was it something I said? The last match between Espanyol and Real Valladolid ended 0-0, and now this.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes with neither side offering much in attack. I suspect that Malaga would bite your hand off for a point here based on their performances in recent weeks. But a point for Atletico would leave them just two points clear of Real Madrid. A very uncomfortable lead.
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Malaga make another change as Iturra replaces Joaquin. Meanwhile, Atletico make a change of their own as Rodriguez is replaces by Raul Garcia. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining as Koke floats a free kick into the box, but the danger is headed clear by Lugano.
Both teams are just cancelling each other out at the moment as the defences remain on top. It is easy to see why neither of these two sides concede a lot of goals. A half-chance comes to Isco as he strikes a free kick from distance, but Courtois rises to collect under pressure from Santa Cruz.
Simeone is calling for more at the moment as he waves his arms on the touchline. In truth, it does not appear that we will have a goal in the remaining 20 minutes of this match. However, it only takes a second to score a goal. In fairness to the home supporters they have not let up for one moment. Wonderful support for Malaga.
The home side make their third and final change of the match as Fernandez replaces Isco. It just hasn't happened for the young Spaniard this evening. He has been one of the quietest players on the field. A goal either way would have huge ramifications on the league table.
Half-chance for the home side as Piazon drives into the penalty area before finding the run of Santa Cruz, but Godin is out to make the challenge. Antunes is on hand to deliver a cross into the penalty area moments later, but Courtois collects. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining.
The home side have just started to force the issue in the last couple of moments with Miranda once more committing a foul on Piazon. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Antunes, but Weligton can only flash his header wide of the post.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and still no sign of the opening goal. As it stands, Atletico would move two points ahead of Real Madrid, while Malaga would remain in fourth, just one point ahead of Valencia. But you just get the feeling that there will be one last chance in this match.
Half-chance for Adrian as the Spaniard is found in the penalty area by Turan, but Caballero comes out to smother at the vital moment. Malaga just cannot get clear at the moment as Juanfran delivers another searching cross, but the stunning Weligton clears. The Brazilian has been wonderful this evening.
Atletico are the side forcing the issue as we enter the final five minutes of the match. Suarez combines with Adrian before delivering a cross towards Falcao, but the Colombian just cannot make proper connection with the header. Will we have a sting in the tail in the latter stages of this match?
Malaga force an attack down the other end as Gamez advances down the right before firing a cross into the box, but it just drifts out of play. Another booking follows moments later as Toulalan dives into a challenge with Suarez. Little over two minutes of normal time to play. I should not think that there will be too much added on.
Half-chance for Suarez as the Spaniard strikes an effort from outside the box, but Caballero is on hand to collect. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the match and we are into the first of those. A cross from Piazon into the box almost catches out Courtois, but the goalkeeper collects.
You just get the impression that both of these teams could play until next week and still not score. A couple of crosses come into each box, but the danger is cleared on each occasion. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Neither side can make the breakthrough as the points are shared in a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and remain with us for action from Sociedad against Betis. Until then!
