Deportivo La Coruna welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Saturday looking to continue their six-match unbeaten run in the league.
Atletico had the best of the chances in the first period, but they could not make the breakthrough, with the scores level at the interval.
Both sides continued to force the issue in the second half, but the goal never arrived 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! Our final La Liga commentary of the evening comes from La Coruna as Deportivo welcome Atletico Madrid. Three points for the home side would hand their survival hopes a major boost, but they will need to be at their best to overcome a wounded Atletico, who lost to capital rivals Real Madrid last time out.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have enjoyed the best of it with four wins from the last five matches. As mentioned, the capital outfit thumped Deportivo 6-0 last December, and also recorded a 1-0 win at this stadium in April 2011. If recent history is anything to go by, then Deportivo have a big task on their hands.
As it stands Deportivo currently sit 17th in the table, one point and one place outside the bottom three. However, three points this evening could move them as high as 15th. Atletico, meanwhile, trail second-placed Real Madrid by nine points with five matches remaining, although this is their game in hand.
TEAMS:
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Ze Castro, Pablo, Ayoze, Aythami; Valeron, Camunas, Bergantinos, Juan; Riki, Gama
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Suarez, Garcia; Rodriguez, Adrian, Falcao
So there we have it. No Pizzi for Deportivo against his parent club this evening, but Bruno Gama and top scorer Riki both start. Much-changed Atletico outfit, meanwhile, with Adrian Lopez, Raul Garcia and Christian Rodriguez all coming into the team. Right, the home side get the action underway in La Coruna.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a strong atmosphere. Bright start from Deportivo as Riki drives a low cross into the box, but Miranda is on hand to make the clearance. A free kick arrives for the home side moments later, but Raul Garcia heads clear. It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition this evening.
Just a reminder that Atletico are now nine points behind Real Madrid in the race for second, which makes their task almost impossible. Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the opening four minutes, but it is Deportivo that have enjoyed more of the possession. Falcao has a half-chance moments later, but his touch is just loose, which allows Manuel Pablo across to clear.
Atletico threaten once more as Garcia drives into the box before rounding Aranzubia, but it just takes him too wide of the goal. In fairness to the Spaniard, it would have been easy to hit the deck in that position. It falls nicely for Gabi moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
The away side have certainly started to take control of the possession this evening with the likes of Gabi and Mario Suarez enjoying the ball in the middle of midfield. A loose pass from the latter almost allows Riki an attempt on goal, but the forward is quelled by Miranda. Plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening.
Riki tries his luck from distance as the Deportivo forward collects possession outside the box before striking towards goal, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in this type of match. Deportivo really need to keep the home crowd on side in the early stages.
Nervy couple of moments for the home side as Aranzubia flaps at a cross before Ze Castro attempts to chest back to his own goalkeeper, but Depor do manage to survive. Bruno Gama has a half-chance on the counter as he finds Riki on the edge of the box, but once more this stern Atletico defence quells the danger. They really have been watertight this season.
Half-chance for the away side once more as Adrian finds Falcao, who strikes an effort towards the bottom corner, but Aranzubia is across to make the save. Again it is nervous goalkeeping as the Spaniard releases the ball from his grasp, but no harm is done. Still no real chances for either side with 14 minutes on the clock.
Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of challenges. It is a tasty battle between Godin and Riki with the two players fighting for possession each time the ball is played into the box. Deportivo really need their supporters to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Half-chance for Ayoze as the Spaniard collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Courtois is once more on hand to make the save. It would need something special to beat the Belgian from that distance. Slightly subdued atmosphere at the moment with neither side offering too much in the final third.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Gabi spots the run of Falcao, but Aranzubia is out to head clear at the vital moment. Ayoze has possession down the other end moments later, the defender finds Gama, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Still no real chances for either side in what has been a well-matched 21 minutes of La Liga football.
Better from the home side in the last couple of minutes with Pablo and Aythami both threatening down each wing, but the quality of the final ball has been lacking thus far. Falcao has possession down the other end moments later, but he cannot evade the capture of Pablo. It hasn't quite happened for any of the strikers on display thus far.
Again it's good work from the home side as Camunas drives down the right before finding Gama in the box, but his touch is far too heavy, which allows Juanfran across to make the clearance. Not too much from Atletico in the last few moments, meanwhile, with Depor taking charge of the midfield. Still goalless with 25 minutes on the clock.
Camunas is again the threat for Deportivo as he drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Miranda rises highest to heads clear. It drops kindly for Riki, but the Spaniard just could not make proper contact. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in La Coruna.
Good spell for the away side in the last couple of moments with Falcao and Garcia both coming close with headers from inside the box, but Aranzubia is twice on hand to make the save. The resulting corner also causes problems in the box, but Pablo makes the clearance. It is almost as if Atletico have moved through the gears as Miranda passes up a good opportunity from close range.
Nice and tidy from Deportivo as they continue to pass and probe outside the Atletico box, but they just cannot find that elusive final pass. Not too much from Riki thus far, however, who has been their saviour on so many occasions this season. Pablo wants a free kick outside the box moments later, but the referee is not interested.
Wasteful couple of minutes from the home side with two corners and a free kick all failing to beat the first man. Against the best defence in La Liga, you just the feeling that set pieces could be their best chance to score. Not too much to report in terms of chances, meanwhile, with the game's best chance falling to Miranda.
Big penalty shout for the home side as Gama is felled in the box by Miranda, but the referee is not interested. Replays have shown that it should indeed have been awarded. Oh Miguel Ayza just has to make that call. A free kick is whipped in by Riki moments later, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar.
Deportivo continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the box, but Godin and Miranda continue to win the aerial battles. Atletico attempt to counter with Falcao, but the Colombian runs out of options. Little over five minutes remaining in La Coruna with the two sides still level at 0-0.
Adrian beats the offside trap before driving a low cross into the box, but Ze Castro makes the clearance, it falls kindly for Falcao, but once more the danger is cleared at the vital moment. Deportivo attempt to threaten on the counter, but the final pass is astray, before Falcao fires over down the other end moments later.
The referee is certainly not making himself popular at the moment as he continues to turn down appeals from the home side. Again Deportivo build from the back before Valeron slides a pass towards Riki, but Miranda heads clear. Falcao meets a cross from Adrian moments later, but his header bounces over the crossbar from close range.
Controversial moment in the match here as Godin is booked for a shove on Riki. Handbags erupt between both sets of players, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Deportivo 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. Deportivo certainly started the better, but the away side grew into the latter stages of the half. The game's outstanding chance has also fallen to Atletico with Miranda firing wide from close range. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: The home side have had more of the possession with 52%, while they have had six attempts to Atletico's three. Deportivo will also feel that they should have been awarded a penalty when Gama was seemingly felled by Miranda in the box, but the referee thought otherwise. That said, 0-0 at this stage is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Nelson Oliveira, Andre Santos and Jesus Vasquez, but they are without Pizzi, who is on loan from Atletico. Meanwhile, the away side have the likes of Arda Turan, Oliver Torres and Saul in reserve.
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 not too surprising based on what we have seen thus far. Just a reminder that as it stands Atletico would be eight points behind second-placed Real, while Deportivo would remain one spot above the bottom three. Right, the away side get the half underway.
You just get the feeling that this is the type of match that could be decided by the odd goal. It means so much at both ends of the table. Bright start to the half from the home side as Riki delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Courtois comes through a host of players to collect the danger.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of some poor passing in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee has been forced to deal with a number of late challenges. In fairness, it has not been that type of match despite a clash between Godin and Riki at the end of the first period.
Deportivo are playing into the away side's hands at the moment as they continue to deliver long balls into the box. There are few better headers of the ball in the league than Godin and Miranda. Falcao has a half-chance down the other end moments later, but the Colombian can only fire into the side netting.
Atletico have on just three of their last eight matches in the league, while Deportivo have won four of their last six. I would be surprised if neither side made the breakthrough in this second period, but I am not expecting too many goals. Another free kick from Gama causes problems in the Atletico box, but Aythami can only head over the crossbar.
Diego Simeone does not look too happy on the sidelines at the moment as he continues to bark out orders. Gama is once more involved for the home side as he darts beyond two defenders, but Suarez is across to make the challenge. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining in La Coruna. Still goalless.
Another half-chance for the home side as Gama collects possession in the box before attempting to strike an effort on goal, but Miranda is across to clear at the vital moment. Valeron is at the heart of another encouraging move, but Gama fires wide from inside the box. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Ayoze tries his luck from distance once more, but he is getting further away from the target with each attempt. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Deportivo are enjoying more of the possession. Something has to give in the remaining stages of this match, but who will break first?
In truth, a 0-0 draw would not be the worst result for either of these two sides. Atletico, realistically, are not going to finish second with Madrid winning earlier, while Deportivo would keep their heads above water with a point. However, no sign of either team settling for that at this stage of the match.
Neither manager has looked to their bench thus far, but I suspect that will change in the next five minutes or so. Deportivo continue to work the ball from left to right outside the box, but they just cannot find that elusive final pass. A free kick does arrive outside the box, but Gama's effort is deflected over the crossbar by Gabi.
Atletico do indeed make the first change of the match with Turan, who has recently returned from injury, replaces Rodriguez, who has just struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Not too much from the away side in terms of attacking intent in the last few moments. Little over 20 minutes remaining with the two sides still level at 0-0.
Camunas again threatens down the right as he collects a pass from Valeron before attempting to find a cross into the box, but Godin is across to make the block. The resulting corner is delivered by Gama, but once more the quality is not up to the required standard. Still no changes for the home side.
In truth, this has not been a vintage La Liga fixture with both sides cancelling each other out. The fact that Deportivo have been able to cancel out one of the best teams in the league is credit to Fernando Vasquez. Adrian Lopez attempts to force the issue for Atletico moments later, but his effort is deflected wide of the post.
Half-chance for Falcao as the Colombian collects a pass from Turan before driving into the box, but Pablo is across to clear at the vital moment. What an opportunity to send Atletico into the lead. The resulting corner is flicked into the box by Gabi, but Ayoze is on hand to hook clear. Meanwhile, second change for Atletico as Garcia is replaced by Oliver Torres.
Deportivo make a change of their own as Camunas is replaced by Evaldo. Defensive change for the home side. Good spell for Atletico in the last few moments with Falcao and Adrian both delivering crosses into the box, but the home side have been defensively sound this evening.
First real involvement for Evaldo as the Brazilian collects a long pass from Valeron before driving down the right, but he loses control at the vital moment. I suspect that his pace could play a part in the final stages of this match. Will we have a winner in the final 10 minutes or so?
Another change for the home side as Riki is replaced by Oliveira. It just has not happened for the experienced Spaniard this evening. Valeron's legs are not moving too fast at the moment, but he continues to radiate class with each touch. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in La Coruna.
CROSSBAR! Again Evaldo is involved for the home side as he collects a pass from Valeron before driving a low cross into the box, but Courtois comes out to make the save. Adrian attempts to force the issue down the other end as he finds Gabi, whose effort thumps against the crossbar. That is as close as either side has come to opening the scoring.
Again Adrian is involved for away side as he drives into the box before finding Turan, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. That proves to be Adrian's last involvement, who is replaced by Saul. Little over five minutes of football remaining. Will we have late drama here?
Another half-chance for the away side as Falcao attempts to meet a cross from Turan, but Aythami is across to make the clearance. Deportivo make their third change of the match, meanwhile, as Andre Santos is introduced in place of Valeron, who has once more been wonderful.
Still no sign of the opening goal this evening with both sides guilty of poor passing in the final third. It just has not happened for any of the forwards on display at the Riazor. Deportivo have possession outside the Atletico box with little over one minute of normal time remaining.
Atletico have the ball in the back of the net as Miranda heads home from close range, but the linesman raises his flag. Controversial moment here. For me, it was not offside. Simeone is furious and rightly so. What a moment.
It's wonderful play from Falcao as the Colombian combines with Torres before driving into the box, but Pablo is across to make the challenge. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of stoppage time. We are indeed into the second of those. Atletico whip a corner into the box, but Oliveira is on hand to clear.
FULL-TIME: Deportivo 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. Neither side can make the breakthrough as the points are shared in a 0-0 draw. Deportivo will feel that they deserved two points, but Atletico had a late goal disallowed for offside. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
