Wednesday evening's Copa del Rey last-32 first leg in Catalunya pitted L'Hospitalet against Atletico Madrid.
Neither side could break the deadlock in what was a largely uneventful first 45 minutes.
Atletico ensured that they would take a comfortable lead into the second leg, however, with second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann, Gabi and Cristian Rodriguez.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's Copa del Rey last-32 coverage continues this evening as Segunda B side L'Hospitalet welcome the Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. This is the first of two legs, with the second to be held later this month. Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news and Atletico have made plenty of changes.
TEAMS
L'HOSPITALET: Oliver; Hammouch, Valentin, Aleix, Agus; Alcaraz, Morgado, Vivi, Nano; Bueno, Via
ATLETICO: Oblak; Gamez, Gimenez, Lucas, Siqueira; Mario, Gabi, Saul; Cerci, Jimenez, Rodriguez
So there we have it. The home side will seemingly line up in a 4-4-2 formation this evening, with Nano and Eric Via both included in the XI. There is also a spot for Jose Angel Bueno, while Ruben Alcarez will also start in what is an all-Spanish XI for the hosts.
Teenage defender Lucas Hernandez will make his debut for Atletico this evening, while Guilherme Siqueira will return after missing three games. There are also starts for Alessio Cerci and Raul Jimenez in attack, while Gabi will return to skipper the visitors.
The home side have beaten Guijuelo and Izarra this season to make it to this stage of the Copa del Rey, but they have the toughest of tests this evening. In truth, their fortunes could not be more different. L'Hospitalet are currently 13th in the Segunda B, which is their highest ever division. Last season, they finished 12th and they sit 13th after 15 games this time around.
The hosts will also enter this match having won just one of their last six games in all competitions. At the weekend, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Zaragoza's second team, while they lost to their Espanyol counterparts the week before. The fact that there are two legs makes it even more difficult to consider a shock in this particular round.
Atletico, meanwhile, made it to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey last season, but lost out to eventual winners Real Madrid, who overcame Barcelona in the final. On offer in this two-legged encounter is a spot against the old enemy Real Madrid in the next round.
Atletico will also enter the match in strong form having won each of their last three games in all competitions. They are currently top of their Champions League section and sit third in La Liga, four points behind the leaders Real Madrid after 13 matches. Can the capital outfit make an assault on all three major trophies again this season? Do not write them off.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening. There has been criticism of the two-legged affairs at this stage of the Copa del Rey, which makes it difficult for lower league clubs to advance. Even if Atletico were to lose in this match, they would have the chance to recover next time out. The second leg at the Vicente Calderon will take place on December 18.
PREDICTION! I am finding it very difficult to make a case for the home side this evening. Atletico have rotated their squad, but they still have such quality on display. I do not think it will be an absolute walkover, but am backing Atletico to emerge 3-0 winners.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the action underway.
Atlético players are out on pitch as they prepare to face L'Hospitalet. Players wearing t-shirts with 'football without violence' message.
— AS English (@English_AS) December 3, 2014
The surface is not the best this evening, but it has not stopped Atletico taking control of the ball in the early couple of minutes. You just get the feeling that the hosts need to hold out for the opening 10 minutes or so. An early goal for the Spanish champions would be a big, big blow.
L'Hospitalet actually have their leading scorer David Haro on the bench this evening, which is a somewhat strange decision. Not too much has happened in the opening four minutes, but it will not come as much of a surprise that the visitors have had the majority of the possession.
Half-chance for Atletico as Saul finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Nothing much from the hosts in terms of attacking pressure thus far.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Morgado has shown some nice touches for the hosts, while Saul has been lively for Atletico. Seven minutes played and the score remains 0-0 in Catalonia.
It's good work from Bueno as the Spaniard drives down the left before attempting to pick out Nano, but Gimenez is across to clear at the vital moment. Atletico are down the other end with Gamez moments later, but the right-back if forced to cut inside and the attack slows right down.
Suarez is a tight fortunate not to receive a yellow card after diving into a late challenge with Nano, but the home side cannot make use of the resulting free kick. The early atmosphere has dropped, but L'Hospitalet have put a couple of dangerous balls into the Atletico box here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico as Siqueira picks out Cerci inside the box, but the Italian's low effort is beaten away by Sanchez - terrific goalkeeping there.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Gabi strikes one on the half-volley outside the box, but Sanchez is across to make the save. It is all one-way traffic from the visitors at the moment.
BOOKING! Vivi goes into the book for hauling Cerci to the ground.
The resulting free kick is taken by Gabi, but Coch is on hand to head clear.
L'Hospitalet are finding it difficult to get out of their own half at the moment, with Atletico dominating possession in the final third of the field. That said, the hosts can be pleased that they have kept the score to 0-0 in the opening 17 minutes of this Copa del Rey last-32 first leg.
Jimenez wants a penalty after tumbling inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Atletico keep the pressure on with Cerci, but Hammouch steps out to make the challenge.
CROSSBAR! Jimenez is involved once more as the Mexican meets a cross from fellow striker Cerci, but his header rattles off the crossbar. So close!
Possession football from the visitors as they continue to pass and probe outside the box, but clear chances have been few and far between thus far. The home side are doing their best to force the issue, but Nano and Morgado have been strangled each time they have gained possession.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening, with the second leg to come in Madrid later this month. L'Hospitalet continue to struggle in the final third, with Gimenez and Lucas in charge at the back. Gamez has been heavily involved, but his crossing has been poor thus far.
It just isn't happening for the home side at the moment, with Via struggling to make his mark down the left despite gaining some good ground. Down the other end, Cerci and Gamez are caught offside twice in quick succession. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Half-chance for Cerci this time as the forward finds some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. From the resulting corner, Gimenez heads over the crossbar. Half-chances rather than clear-cut opportunities thus far.
BOOKING! Siqueira goes into the book for a late challenge on Morgado.
The resulting free kick is taken by Nano, but his effort is straight into the wall.
CONTROVERSY! The home side want a penalty as Bueno tumbles inside the box under a challenge from Suarez, but the referee is not interested. For me, that is a spot kick. Suarez has made a number of really poor challenges this evening.
Replays have shown that while there was contact from Suarez, Bueno tripped over his own feet and therefore a penalty would have been a little harsh. I apologise Mario, carry on!
Gimenez appears to have a problem for Atletico after hitting the deck just outside his own box. The defender suffered a head injury at the weekend and therefore no risks will be taken.
BOOKING! Hammouch goes into the book for bringing Siqueira to the ground.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Gabi and met by Saul, but Coch is on hand to make a brilliant challenge. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and it is still goalless.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of minutes, with Nano and Bueno both involved, but neither can fashion a shooting chance on goal. Atletico, meanwhile, have also struggled to put their passes together in the last five minutes or so. Simeone will not be best pleased.
CLOSE! Cerci comes close to sending Atletico ahead after twisting and turning outside the box, but his curling effort just moves wide of the post. Unlucky!
Simeone is on the touchline and the Argentine does not look too pleased with what he has seen thus far. In truth, Atletico should be performing much better against a team in the Segunda B.
It is all a little too intricate outside the L'Hospitalet box at the moment, with Atletico losing possession time after time in the final third. I shouldn't think there will be too much added time.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Atletico in first-half stoppage time, but Rodriguez's powerful effort just moves high of the crossbar. That should be just about that.
HALF-TIME: L'Hospitalet 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Atletico have certainly had the better moments in the final third, but the hosts must be credited for their defensive rear-guard thus far. What will the second 45 minutes in Catalonia bring?
BENCH WATCH! The home side have leading scorer David Haro on the bench this evening, while Joel Mendez is also in deserve. Atletico, meanwhile, have Antoine Griezmann as their senior substitute. However, Keita and Carlos Ramos are also available tonight.
Just a reminder that following this match we have live commentary of Huesca against Barcelona - be sure to remain with me for that, with the build-up to begin at around 8.50pm. Real Madrid were of course in action on Tuesday, with Los Blancos beating Cornella 5-0 on the night to advance.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can the home side continue to repel the pressure from Atletico? The home side get the action underway.
SUB! One change for Atletico at a break, with Griezmann replacing Saul.
CROSSBAR! Griezmann almost makes an instant impact after attempting to float a cross towards the far post, but it gathers air and clips off the top of the crossbar!
Griezmann continues to force the issue as the Frenchman strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Much better from Atletico in the early moments here.
OFF-THE-LINE! The home side survive once again as Gimenez has a point-blank header cleared off-the-line. Moments later, Sanchez comes out to smother at the feet of Cerci. The hosts just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure continues from Atletico.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Atletico have the ball in the back of the net this time, but Griezmann was in an offside position when he tapped home from close range.
SUB! The home side are forced into a change as Peque replaces Hammouch.
L'Hospitalet just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure continues from the home side, with Griezmann making a big impact since entering at the interval. You cannot imagine Simeone was too pleased with what he saw from his side in the first 45 minutes of action.
Lucas is called into action for the away side as Nano breaks down the right. The resulting corner is delivered towards the far post, but Gimenez is on hand to make the clearance. Still goalless.
SUB! The home side make their second change as Vivi is replaced by Luque.
Via finds some space outside the Atletico box after beating two players, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Well, little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the Segunda B side are still holding the champions of Spain - albeit an under-strength Atletico XI.
The home side continue to play their part in this match as Bueno drives down the right before finding Alcaraz, but his effort was wide of the post. Morgado has also started to see more of the ball for the hosts, who are causing more problems than they did in the first 45 minutes.
Another Atletico attack comes to a close in disappointing fashion as Gamez delivers straight into the arms of the goalkeeper when Cerci had taken up a good position. More frustration here.
CHANCE! Atletico's best chance of the second period falls to Rodriguez following good work from Griezmann, but the attacker's effort from close range is deflected wide.
CLOSE! Griezmann hits one just wide of the post from outside the box.
GOAL! L'Hospitalet 0-1 Atletico (Griezmann)
The away side finally take the lead with 67 minutes on the clock as Griezmann heads a Gamez cross into the back of the net. The Frenchman has made such a difference since entering.
In truth, the goal had been coming. The home side have had some decent moments in the second period, but Atletico have had a number of chances in a much-improved second-half display.
BOOKING! Gimenez goes into the book for a high challenge on Morgado.
Miguel Luque strikes the resulting free kick, but his effort is high of the crossbar.
I shouldn't imagine that Simeone will be too pleased with what he has seen regardless of how the final 15 minutes unfold. Too often Atletico have been wasteful in the final third of the field.
SUB! The home side are forced into their final change as Mendez replaces Morgado.
Atletico come close to scoring a second as Jimenez combines with Cerci outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. A second seems to be close for the visitors here.
BOOKING! Nano goes into the book for a foul on Griezmann.
Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining and the score remains 1-0. Suarez attempts to make it two with a chipped effort from outside the box, but Sanchez was always comfortable claiming.
The home side have a sight of goal as Nano strikes one from outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. L'Hospitalet can be pleased with their second-half performance.
PENALTY ATLETICO!
BOOKING! Agustin is booked for pulling Cerci to the ground inside the box. That is a definite penalty for the visitors and Gabi will take...
... GOAL! L'Hospitalet 0-2 Atletico (Gabi, pen)
Gabi steps up and sends his effort into the bottom corner - excellent.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Atletico think that they have scored a stunning third as Jimenez curls one into the bottom corner, but Cerci is adjudged to be in an offside position and therefore restricting the view of the goalkeeper. That is very harsh from the referee.
BOOKING! Griezmann is booked for a poor challenge on Nano.
Atletico continue to force the issue with corner after corner, but the home side manage to clear the danger. In truth, the visitors have been much the better team in the second period. It has been a better contest in the second 45 minutes, but L'Hospitalet's willingness to attack has opened spaces.
Half-chance for the home side as Via finds space at the far post, but his effort is straight at Oblak. Via has been bright for the hosts there is no question about that.
Again it is decent work from Bueno as the Spaniard drives into the box before attempting to feed Nano, but Oblak is out to claim at the vital moment. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those in Catalonia.
CHANCE! Griezmann comes close to scoring a third after meeting another cross from Gamez, but somehow Sanchez keeps it out from close range - excellent goalkeeping.
GOAL! L'Hospitalet 0-3 Atletico (Rodriguez)
Wow! Stunning from Rodriguez as the Argentine thumps one into the top corner from outside the box.
FULL-TIME: L'Hospitalet 0-3 Atletico
So there we have it. Atletico score three times in the second period to run out comfortable winners. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
