Half-Time Report: Atletico Madrid fail to capitalise on dominance

Malaga are currently level with Atletico Madrid after the first half of their La Liga meeting at La Rosaleda.

Madrid have been the better team and have had far more chances, but Malaga have defended well to keep the scores level.

The home side started on the front foot, forcing their opponents to drop deep and winning several early corners.

Atletico immediately clicked into gear, though, and in the fourth minute they should have been ahead. Radamel Falcao turned well and held off three players before laying the ball to Diego Costa, but the Brazilian sliced his shot wide.

The away side grew in confidence after that with Arda Turan and Costa causing Malaga problems. Turan almost opened the scoring with a powerful effort from 25 yards after he had cut in from the left, but Willy Cabellero saved well.

The game continued in the Malaga half with Atletico keeping the ball well. Falcao won numerous free kicks out of the Malaga centre-backs but Turan's delivery was never quite perfect.

Malaga looked liked they were on the ropes in the last five minutes but managed to hold out and go in at the break all square.