Atletico Madrid welcomed in-form Espanyol to the Vicente Calderon in La Liga on Saturday night.
The home side enjoyed close to 70% possession in the first 45 minutes, but a strong rear-guard action from Espanyol saw the two teams enter the interval on level terms.
Atletico continued to press in the second period, but Diego Simeone's side could not breach the Espanyol defence as the points were shared in the Spanish capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Espanyol. On paper, this should be a pretty straightforward home win, but Espanyol will enter the match in much the better form. Indeed, a difficult period for Atletico has seen Diego Simeone's side drop off the pace at the top of Spain's top flight. This is a big football match for the home side.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Atletico have won each of the last five league fixtures. Espanyol did record a 3-2 victory in this stadium during the 2010-11 campaign, however, and also won away to Atletico in December 2006. It is a tough ask for the visitors tonight, but they are unbeaten in seven league matches since defeat to Celta Vigo on September 25.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Vicente Calderon. Both sides were in Copa del Rey action during the week - Atletico beating Guijuelo 6-0 and Espanyol drawing 1-1 with Alcorcon - but sweeping changes were expected...
TEAMS!
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Carrasco, Gameiro, Griezmann
ESP: Diego Lopez; Sanchez, David Lopez, Reyes, Aaron; Piatti, Fuego, Diop, Jurado; Baptistao, Moreno
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has made one change to the team that started last weekend's 3-0 win at Osasuna, with Yannick Ferreira Carrasco taking the place of Angel Correa in the final third. Kevin Gameiro will continue in the centre-forward position, while Jose Gimenez keeps his spot alongside Diego Godin at the heart of the defence. Tiago, Koke and Gabi continue in the middle of the park.
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As for Espanyol, head coach Quique Flores has made one change to the side that started last weekend's 3-0 success at home to Leganes. That alteration comes in midfield as Papa Diop takes the place of Jose Antonio Reyes, allowing Jose Jurado to move into a wide position. In-form trio Pablo Piatti, Leo Baptistao and Gerard Moreno, meanwhile, continue in the final third of the field.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Espanyol a little bit later, but let's first focus on Atletico, who cannot afford another slip-up if they have ambitions of challenging for the league title once again. Indeed, they are currently 10 points behind the league leaders Real Madrid.
This is Sports Mole's second live La Liga coverage of the day following El Clasico at Camp Nou earlier this afternoon. Luis Suarez's header early in the second period looked to have secured a vital three points for Barcelona, but Sergio Ramos had other ideas as he headed a 90th-minute equaliser for Real Madrid. As a result, Zinedine Zidane's side still sit six points clear at the top of the table.
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Atletico actually started the 2016-17 La Liga season with back-to-back draws against newly-promoted duo Alaves and Leganes, before scoring nine times in two victories over Celta Vigo and Sporting Gijon. They then picked up a 1-1 draw away to Barcelona, before beating Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia and Granada in their next three to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign.
It has been difficult last few weeks for Atletico, however, with just two wins from their last five in the league. They lost 1-0 at Sevilla on October 23, in addition to suffering a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on November 5. The most damaging of their three defeats occurred at home to Real Madrid, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a hat-trick in a 3-0 Los Blancos success.
It was absolutely vital that Atletico responded away to Osasuna last weekend and that was indeed the case as they recorded a 3-0 victory to return to the top four. League aside, they have been very strong in the Champions League this season – winning all five of their group matches to absolutely breeze into the last-16 stage of the competition as winners of the section.
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Atletico were also in Copa del Rey last-32 action during the week and a much-changed XI recorded a 6-0 win away to Guijuelo. The league is the bread and butter for Atletico, however, and they have the likes of Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Sociedad to worry about in addition to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Espanyol, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in the league. They only won one of their first nine in Spain's top flight, but things have turned in recent weeks. Indeed, they have risen from the depths of the division into 12th place on 18 points.
It was always going to be difficult for new head coach Quique Flores to inflict change in the early stages of the season, but the former Watford boss has put his stamp on the team over the last few weeks. They have not actually lost in La Liga since a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo on September 25, which came during a period where questions were being asked of Flores and his appointment.
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The Barcelona-based side started their recovery with three straight draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas and Eibar, before beating Real Betis at the end of October. They then drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilbao and have overcome Alaves and Leganes in their last two league fixtures. There is no question that this will be a tricky night for Atletico, who cannot afford to drop points.
Gerard Moreno has been Espanyol's go-to man for goals this season, with the former Villarreal striker netting six times in 13 league matches. Pablo Piatti has also contributed five goals, but Felipe Caicedo is yet to get off the mark this season despite making eight appearances.
⚽️ SCORERS. @AntoGriezmann, @KevinGameiro9 and @CarrascoY21 are our top scorers in @LaLiga with 6 goals #AtletiEspanyol #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/Y5MBXwcwK4 — Atleti English (@atletienglish) December 3, 2016
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Calderon. Victory for Atletico would move them level on points with third-place Sevilla and to within one point of second-place Barcelona. Three points for Espanyol, meanwhile, would move them level on points with seventh-place Eibar. Let's hope for an entertaining game of football from the Spanish capital.
KICKOFF! Atletico kick things off on home soil...
... you just get the feeling that this could be a really tough night for Atletico, who have been far from their best in the league this season. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight.
Not too much to report in the early exchanges of this match, with both teams sharing possession of the ball in non-threatening positions. It might well be the type of game where Atletico need to be patient, especially with Espanyol full of confidence following a seven-game unbeaten run in the league.
Griezmann wants a penalty as his shot is blocked inside the Espanyol box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been very harsh indeed, with Fuego's arm right down by his side!
Atletico are certainly in control of the possession at the moment, but Espanyol have shown their threat on the counter-attack when they have been given the chance to break forward. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to score first tonight if they have ambitions of gaining a positive result.
Atletico have not lost back-to-back home games in the league for three and a half years, but they are facing that possibility tonight after the 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in their last league fixture in this stadium. Simeone's side continue to pass and probe in the Espanyol half of the field.
Not many teams play 4-4-2, certainly at this level of football, but Espanyol are indeed set up in that formation. Piatti and Jurado are hugging the touchline, while Baptistao and Moreno are operating through the middle. It is Atletico, however, that continue to dominate the ball early on in Madrid.
Juanfran and Luis continue to drive forward for Atletico, but Espanyol are defending very well at the moment as Reyes and Lopez clear their lines once again. Still goalless at the Calderon tonight.
No real surprise that Espanyol remain under pressure here, but Atletico are struggling to create clear opportunities at the moment due to the sheer number of blue and white shirts inside the box. Atletico continue to play some brilliant football with no real reward as things stand here!
Tiago finds Koke with a super pass, but it is a comfortable save for Lopez.
Gabi strikes one from distance, but again Lopez makes a comfortable stop.
Espanyol have their first shot on target as Moreno turns inside the Atletico box, but his effort was never really threatening Oblak in the home side's goal. Things starting to open up a bit here.
Brilliant noise inside the stadium, but not too much happening on the field with 21 minutes on the clock. As expected, Atletico are in control, while Espanyol are very compact in defensive areas.
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late tackle on Gimenez.
Diop and Fuego are both very deep in the Espanyol midfield, which is not much of a surprise considering that Piatti, Jurado, Baptistao and Moreno are all operating in attacking positions. It is up to Atletico to find a route through a defence that is being marshalled by Reyes and Lopez.
Just a reminder that three points for Atletico would take them level on points with third-place Sevilla and to within one point of second-place Barcelona. Espanyol, on the other hand, can move into the top half of the table with all three points. Not too much happening at the moment here.
Atletico have the chance to break as Jurado loses the ball down-field, but Espanyol have enough plays back to force Carrasco wide and Aaron is across to clear behind for a corner. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Espanyol are pretty comfortable at the moment here.
BOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Piatti.
There is no question that Flores will be the happier of the two managers at the moment, with his team keeping Atletico extremely quiet in the final third of the field. Hardly a chance of note here.
Diop and Fuego continue to work extremely hard in the middle of the Espanyol midfield, but you just wonder whether they can keep it up for the whole 90 minutes. It would be some feat.
Diop has to clear behind as Griezmann looks to find Gameiro with a back-heel. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but this time it is Sanchez that clears for the away side.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Espanyol are half-way there in terms of making it eight games unbeaten in Spain's top flight. You would fancy the away side to nick a goal at some point as well with the likes of Piatti, Baptistao and Moreno in the final third of the field.
Diop has been brilliant for Espanyol as he continues to mop up in front of his back four, but the midfielder is carrying a yellow card and one late challenge could see the away side reduced to 10 men. Atletico continue to pass and probe with no reward as we approach the break here.
Gameiro almost, almost breaks free inside the Espanyol box, but Reyes is across to make the challenge and Espanyol can clear their lines once again. Still goalless at the Calderon.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Moreno breaks into the Atletico box, but the striker cannot find a route past the brilliant Oblak, who spread himself!
Despite a lack of chances in this match, it has been an absorbing contest. It is not difficult to see why Espanyol have picked up so many positive results in recent weeks. Their shape is excellent.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Atletico have dominated the possession, but the best chance of the opening half actually fell to Espanyol, with Moreno testing Oblak from inside the Atletico box. A game of chess at the Calderon!
STATISTICS! Atletico have dominated the possession with 69%, but they have only managed one shot on target from three attempts and that brought a comfortable Diego Lopez save from a long-range Gabi strike. Espanyol, meanwhile, have managed two shots on target from two attempts. Just the two bookings to report in the opening half - Diop for Espanyol and Koke for Atletico.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico boss Diego Simeone has plenty of attacking options on his bench tonight, with Correa, Gaitan and Saul Niguez all capable of making a difference. Espanyol, meanwhile, have the likes of Caicedo, Perez, Reyes and Sevilla in reserve. Plenty of talent on the sidelines here!
RESTART! Espanyol resume the action in Madrid...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second period here.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this match. Espanyol are comfortable in this shape at 0-0, but a goal for Atletico would force them out of their comfort zone and leave more space for the home side. It is very delicately poised here!
Gimenez has just reminded me of Phil Jones. The Atletico centre-back came from nowhere to throw his head at the ball and clear behind in an action that could have caused him serious harm. Gimenez does not mind though, and neither would Jones. It was very brave if nothing else!
Espanyol have just started to make a couple of mistakes at the back, but Atletico have thus far been unable to take advantage. Still goalless as the second period gathers pace here.
Juanfran skips away from Aaron in a bid to deliver into the Espanyol box, but the 19-year-old sticks to his task and manages to block at the second time of asking. Still not too much to report in terms of chances as Atletico remain frustrated in the final third. Espanyol are pretty comfortable here.
ESPANYOL SUB! Hernan Perez replaces Piatti for the away side.
Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining and still Espanyol hold firm. We are entering the stage of the match where Atletico boss Simeone will be considering alterations, but there is no movement on the bench as things stand. The crowd is also very subdued at the moment here.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Espanyol as Moreno sets up Baptistao inside the Atletico box, but Oblak is down to make another very important save for his team here!
Carrasco bends one wide down the other end as the game threatens to open up!
I am not entirely sure what Espanyol midfielder Diop had for his pre-match meal, but he has played like Yaya Toure in his prime tonight. He has been absolutely everywhere! The away side are growing in confidence as they start to pass and probe in the final third of the field at the Calderon.
Still no movement on the Atletico bench, but Correa would be the obvious change and we cannot be too far away from a sub occurring, especially with Espanyol now enjoying more possession.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Diego Lopez as the Espanyol goalkeeper flies across his goal to keep out a strike from Gabi and Gameiro just cannot turn in the rebound!
This is much more like it from Atletico as they continue to move the ball quicker in the final third, but Diego Lopez is a very good goalkeeper and they will need something special to beat him.
ATLETICO SUB! Gaitan replaces Tiago in Atletico's first change.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Carrasco delivers a dangerous low cross into Griezmann, but Reyes is on hand to make a fine clearance as the pressure continues here.
Gimenez heads well wide at the end of another strong Atletico spell.
ATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces Carrasco for Atletico.
Espanyol have dropped very deep in the last five minutes or so and that is inviting Atletico forward. It is a dangerous game to play with still the best part of 20 minutes left at the Calderon.
Godin stays forward following a set piece and makes contact on a Luis cross, but the ball just would not fall for Griezmann and Diego Lopez can collect once again. Espanyol are preparing to make their second change of the match as the clock in the Spanish capital continues to tick on.
BOOKING! Moreno (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Godin.
ESPANYOL SUB! Sevilla replaces Baptistao for the away side.
ESPANYOL SUB! Caicedo replaces Moreno for Espanyol.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be late drama in this match. Atletico are really pressing forward, but Espanyol have plenty of space to cause problems down the other end.
Espanyol are looking long into Caicedo at the moment and that is not a bad plan such is the striker's power and presence in the final third. Atletico just cannot get anything going at the moment as Diego Lopez comes to collect another nothing ball. Still goalless in the capital.
Wonderful defending from Sevilla as the Espanyol midfielder comes from nowhere to clear a cross from Correa, but it comes at a price as he flies into his own teammate Diop, who hits the deck!
ATLETICO SUB! Saul Niguez replaces Gameiro in Atletico's final change.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Griezmann as Gaitan finds the Frenchman inside the Espanyol box, but he fires straight into the arms of Diego Lopez. Just had to score there!
Simeone is asking for more from the Atletico supporters and they are responding here. The pressure is really building as the ball continues to arrive inside the Espanyol box.
Godin is playing centre-forward for Atletico at the moment, but that is a risk due to the presence of Caicedo down the other end of the field. We are very late in this match, but Espanyol cannot get out and the pressure is building. It would be so, so cruel for the visitors to concede at this stage.
Diego Lopez makes a super save to tip a Griezmann effort onto the crossbar, but the whistle had only been blown for a free kick. The Espanyol stopper was not to know though. Some save!
BOOKING! Godin (Atletico) is booked for dissent.
Sevilla fires over the Atletico crossbar as the seconds continue to tick on here.
The fourth official shows four minutes of stoppage time!
Espanyol continue to fire the ball down-field as Atletico desperately attempt to pick that pass in what is a very crowded area of the field. The away side are very close to a brilliant point here.
Espanyol have the ball and time is almost up in the Spanish capital.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to an end with Espanyol holding Atletico to a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon. It is now eight league games unbeaten for the away side, while Atletico remain in fourth position in the table and are now nine points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. Until next time!
