Atletico Madrid travelled to Celta Vigo on Sunday evening knowing that victory would see them move four points behind the La Liga leaders Real Madrid after 23 games of the season.
The hosts had much the better of the first period, but could not make the breakthrough at the mid-way point.
Celta took the lead just before the hour mark, however, with Nolito scoring from the penalty spot.
The home side then had their second after 71 minutes when Fabian Orellana netted from a wide angle.
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 Estadio de Balaidos as Celta Vigo welcome Atletico Madrid. Atletico have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides and are in desperate need of the points to maintain their challenge at the top of the table. Celta, meanwhile, have found a bit of form in recent weeks following a period that saw them lose six league games in a row.
Celta will enter this match in 11th position. They have won six of their 22 league games this season, drawing seven and losing nine. Their form at home has been fairly solid with four wins, but they have also been beaten three times on their own patch. Last time out in the league, they drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad.
Atletico, meanwhile, currently trail the league leaders Real Madrid by seven points following Los Blancos' 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna this weekend. Barcelona also won earlier this afternoon, meaning that Diego Simeone's side are playing catch up at the top of the table. They have won six of their last seven in the league, but have already been beaten three times on their travels. It is another test here.
TEAMS
CELTA: Sergio; Gomez, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny; Radoja, Augusto; Krohn-Dehli, Orellana, Nolito; Larrivey
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira; Gabi, Tiago, Saul; Griezmann, Torres, Mandzukic
PREDICTION! Watch what I had to say about this match here...
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 Balaidos as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
Just a quick word on the team news - Atletico are without key duo Raul Garcia and Koke this evening. However, Fernando Torres does start for the visitors. Celta boss Berizzo, meanwhile, has named Nolito, Joaquin Larrivey and Fabian Orellana in what is an attacking formation. Bring it on here!
Not too much to report out of the ordinary in the opening four minutes. Celta have been in charge of the possession, with Atletico sitting deep and attempting to stretch the pitch. Griezmann has started towards the left for the champions, with Torres operating from the right of Mario Mandzukic.
Good pressure from Atletico in the last couple of moments, with Gabi delivering a dangerous corner from the left, but the home side manage to clear the danger. The home supporters are making plenty of noise in the early stages, despite it being far from a full house. Let's hope for some goals tonight.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening eight minutes here, but Celta have started to threaten in the final third. Orellana attempts to slide a pass towards Larrivey, but Godin clears.
Orellana threatens once again after delivering a dangerous cross towards Nolito, but Miranda this time is on hand to clear the danger. Celta will have a free kick in an advanced position, however, as Torres dives into the back of Krohn-Dehli. All the pressure is coming from the hosts with 10 minutes played.
Krohn-Dehli delivers the resulting free kick towards the back post, but Larrivey cannot make contact under pressure from Miranda, who has returned to somewhere near his best in recent weeks.
I am just waiting for that moment where Atletico burst into life, but at the moment, Celta are on the front foot. You just get the feeling that the hosts need to score during this spell of pressure.
Atletico have just started to gain a foothold in the match, but their first real attempt is high and wide as Torres lashes one past the post from outside the box. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the home side as Krohn-Dehli meets a loose header from Godin, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Neither goalkeeper has been forced into action thus far.
CHANCE! It is excellent work from Nolito as the Celta forward drives past two defenders before rolling a low cross towards Larrivey, but Miranda pokes behind for a corner.
Celta have been in control since the first whistle here and that remains the case as the first period continues to gather pace. Nolito picks up another good position before delivering, but Moya is on hand to collect. Griezmann strikes one down the other end, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Sergio.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to force the issue, but Atletico are happy to sit deep and absorb the danger. The first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be just vital.
A point would not be the worst result for Atletico this evening in a usual season, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are in such good form that only a win will do for the champions. As it stands, they are seven points behind the leaders Real Madrid. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock tonight.
Celta continue to threaten as Nolito takes up a strong position outside the box, but his effort is deflected for yet another corner. Atletico have been strong from high balls, but Larrivey makes first contact from the corner, with his header clearing the crossbar. Atletico are really struggling at the moment.
Atletico just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Gabi delivers another long pass into touch. Nolito picks up the pieces from the throw-in before driving into the box, but his low cross is collected by Moya. You really do get the feeling that Celta need to score during this strong period of pressure here.
For all Celta's pressure, Moya has not really been tested in the opening 31 minutes, which will be a concern for Berizzo. Atletico boss Simeone, meanwhile, does not look very happy at all at the moment. An early change could indeed be on the cards as he signals to one of his players warming up.
Mario Suarez appears to be the player beckoned by Simeone.
Atletico are all over the place at the back as Cabral has two attempts inside the box, but Miranda and Griezmann both make blocks. Atletico really have been poor in this first period. So disappointing. Nolito has another half-chance for the home side, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Suarez replaces Tiago.
Tiago did not appear to be injured as he left the field and therefore it was a tactical change from Simeone. Will it make a difference? Celta have completely and utterly dominated this first half.
Griezmann carries possession into the Celta half, but then passes straight to Fernandez, which has been the story of the half for the visitors. Celta, however, have also been a little untidy in the last few minutes. In truth, there has not been too much quality in the final third from either side thus far tonight.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with both sides conceding possession far too easily in the final third. To be blunt, this reeks at the moment. Not great!
Luckily for Atletico, Godin and Miranda have both been outstanding, with the centre-backs clearing up the pieces once again. The same cannot be said for the away side's forward players this evening.
Celta continue to pass and probe outside the box, but Atletico are strong in a defensive area and the danger is cleared time and time again. Can the home side take the lead before the break?
Half-chance for Atletico as Mandzukic leads a bright counter for the visitors, but the Croatian's effort is straight into the arms of Sergio. A pass to Griezmann might have been the better option!
HALF-TIME: Celta 0-0 Atletico
Nolito fires over the crossbar as the referee brings the first period to a close. Well, Celta really deserve to be ahead. The hosts have not created too many clear chances, but they have been much the better team. Atletico, however, have looked off-colour and off-the-pace. Much improvement is needed here!
STATS! Celta have utterly dominated the possession with 76%, while they have had six attempts. The hosts have not had a single attempt on target, however. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their three attempts. Simeone will definitely not be happy with what he has seen tonight.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench, with the likes of Charles, Lopez and Santi Mina all available for Berizzo. Atletico boss Simeone, meanwhile, has already made one change, with Mario Suarez replacing Tiago after just 34 minutes. The Argentine is without the likes of Turan, Koke and Raul Garcia tonight, but Cani and Raul Jimenez are both available.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a goal at the Balaidos? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway this evening.
SUB! Atletico make made another change at the break, with Cani replacing Torres.
Will there be a serious improvement from Atletico? There needs to be that is for certain! I backed the champions to win this match in my prediction and I am sticking with it. I have seen it all before.
Half-chance for the home side as Augusto finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Celta have maintained their control at the start of the half.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, but neither side can create a meaningful chance. First, Griezmann fails to find Mandzukic after driving into the Celta half, before Godin challenged Nolito down the other end. Griezmann's pace could prove vital for the visitors as the half progresses here.
Possession football from Atletico in the last couple of moments, but they are not really threatening to break the Celta rearguard. One goal could be enough to claim all the points in this tight affair.
Griezmann's pace is giving Atletico an out-ball that is for certain, but Mandzukic cannot keep up with the Frenchman at the moment. There has been an improvement from the champions, with Godin heading just over from a corner. Celta, however, remain a serious threat down the other end.
Atletico break down the right with Juanfran, but the return pass from Suarez has too much power and the right-back cannot collect. Celta, however, have been a little untidy in the last couple of minutes, which is handing Atletico confidence. Still around 35 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining.
PENALTY CELTA VIGO!
Celta have a penalty as Suarez is penalised for bringing Nolito to the ground inside the box. Atletico are furious, however, with the referee failing to spot a handball from Augusto in the build-up!
GOAL! Celta 1-0 Atletico (Nolito, pen)
Nolito steps up and rolls his effort into the bottom corner. Atletico have a right to be raging, however. The move which led to the penalty should have been stopped following a clear handball from Augusto. On the balance of play, however, the home side deserve to be ahead, of that there is little doubt.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to levelling as Saul strikes one from outside the box, but Sergio is down to make a super save. The Celta stopper then denies Griezmann from the rebound, but the Frenchman was in an offside position. Some save nonetheless! Incredible few minutes here.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief how is it not 2-0?! Larrivey has a stunning chance to score a second for Celta following a low cross from Nolito, but the forward fires away from the goal!
BOOKING! Cani (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Orellana.
It is all getting very untidy as the challenges continue to arrive from Atletico, who are desperate to level as soon as possible. You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match.
SAVE! Sensational goalkeeping from Sergio as the Celta stopper manages to keep out Griezmann, who had fired one towards the bottom corner. Atletico are certainly getting closer here.
The chances continue to arrive for Atletico as Siqueira sets up Mandzukic inside the box, but Jonny makes a super block before Juanfran fires high and wide. Too little too late from Atletico?!
Another half-chance for the home side as Nolito turns inside the Atletico box before attempting to set up Larrivey, but Miranda is on hand to clear. How has there only been one goal in this match?!
GOAL! Celta 2-0 Atletico (Orellana)
I am not entirely sure what these Celta players had for lunch, but I want some. Surely game, set and match as Orellana lashes one into the bottom corner following a super move from the hosts.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Jimenez replaces Gabi.
To be blunt, Celta have been too good for Atletico tonight. Too cute and just too good.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Pablo Hernandez replaces Larrivey.
Diego Simeone is being spoken to on the touchline as the Argentine disputes a penalty for his side, which was not given. Siqueira went down inside the box, but the referee was just not interested.
Turan, Koke, Raul Garcia - all massive, massive misses for Atletico.
Half-chance for Atletico as Juanfran sets up Mandzukic at the far post, but the Croatian's header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining.
There is no disputing that Celta deserve to be ahead at this stage of the match. They have been the better team by some distance. Is the title over for Atletico if they lose this game? For me, yes.
The frustration continues for Atletico as Nolito is brought to the ground in the middle of the park. Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and Celta are heading for all three points here.
Cani rattles the post from close range, but the offside flag had been raised. It just has not happened for Atletico this evening. Simeone's comments after this match will be very interesting indeed.
Atletico are in possession of the ball, but not too much is happening in terms of opportunities. Celta, meanwhile, remain a threat on the counter attack with the simply excellent Spaniard Nolito.
There are Atletico supporters in tears inside the stadium - a sign of resignation? Has the title gone?
SUB! Celta make their second change as Alex Lopez replaces Krohn-Dehli.
CHANCE! Orellana has the chance to score a third for the home side after more excellent work from Nolito, but Moya is on hand to make a super save. This stadium is absolutely bouncing.
SUB! Celta make their third change as Mina replaces Orellana.
FULL-TIME: Celta 2-0 Atletico
So there we have it. Celta secure all the points with a 2-0 win over a poor Atletico side. The hosts have moved into ninth, while Atletico remain third - seven points off the league leaders Real Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
