Atletico Madrid welcomed Malaga to La Rosaleda on Saturday night knowing that a win would move them third in La Liga.
Koke's smart finish in the 26th minute saw Atletico enter the interval with a one-goal advantage.
Filipe Luis then doubled the away side's advantage in the 74th minute as the Madrid outfit moved above Sevilla in the table and closed on second-place Barcelona.
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 La Rosaleda as an out-of-form Malaga side welcome fourth-place Atletico Madrid, who have won their last three in the league. The visitors now have third-place Sevilla in their sights, but Malaga are looking over their shoulders following a run of five without a win. Stay tuned for what should be an entertaining clash from Spain's top flight!
Both teams had a man sent off in the reverse league match at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season, but it was Atletico that ran out 4-2 winners on home soil. Malaga did record a 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, but that was their first win against Atletico in the last 10 league meetings between the two teams. History suggests that Malaga are going to struggle tonight.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from La Rosaleda. The majority of Atletico's squad have been on international duty over the last couple of weeks, but Malaga have largely been able to rest and recuperate. Let's have a look at the two XIs here...
TEAMS!
MAL: Kameni; Rosales, Hernandez, Llorente, Torres; Rodriguez, Camacho; Keko, Fornals, Juankar; Sandro
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Lucas, Savic, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Thomas; Saul, Torres, Griezmann
Malaga are without the services of Brazilian striker Charles through suspension, which has opened up a spot in the team for Spanish attacker Keko. Sandro Ramirez and Pablo Fornals both keep their spots in the final third, but there is a change at left-back as Miguel Torres replaces Juan Carlos.
As for Atletico, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco misses out through suspension, while Nico Gaitan, Kevin Gameiro, Tiago and Sime Vrsaljko are all still injured. Diego Godin is not risked after returning late from international duty, meanwhile, meaning that Lucas Hernandez starts alongside Stefan Savic at centre-back. Fernando Torres will lead the Atletico line with support from Antoine Griezmann.
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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 Malaga. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Diego Simeone's Atletico. Battling for the Spanish title is very much beyond the capital club this season, but they now have third-place Sevilla in their sights after an impressive run of form.
Indeed, Atletico recorded a 3-1 win over Sevilla before the international break to move within two points of the Europa League holders in Spain's top flight. Atletico are eight points behind second-place Barcelona, however, and 10 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, who still have a game in hand. Only a miracle will allow Atletico the chance to get back in this season's title race.
Sixteen wins, seven draws and five defeats is how Atletico have performed in La Liga this season, while they have the joint-best defensive record at this stage of the campaign – conceding 23 times alongside Villarreal. Since losing at home to Barcelona at the end of last month, Atletico have recorded three wins in addition to picking up a point away at Deportivo La Coruna.
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In terms of what is ahead for Atletico, they will host Sociedad in their next league match on April 4, before the small matter of a trip to Real Madrid next weekend. Then comes the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Leicester City, before hosting Osasuna in the league on April 15.
In all, Atletico will play nine times during the month of April, and a top-three finish in addition to a Champions League challenge would go down as a decent season all things considered. They are very much the favourites to overcome English champions Leicester in the last eight of the European Cup, and that would place them within one step of yet another Champions League final.
Rumours surrounding the future of Antoine Griezmann continue to gather pace, however, and it is understood that Manchester United are confident of signing the Frenchman for £85m this summer. The forward actually now has 98 goals in La Liga and will be looking to reach 100 tonight. This season, he has 14 league goals in 27 appearances for Simeone's side, in addition to seven assists.
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Malaga, meanwhile, are currently on their third manager of the season after Michel replaced Marcelo Romero earlier this month. The 54-year-old has been appointed on a contract until the end of next season, but things could change once again this summer if the Andalusian club are relegated.
Malaga have finished fourth, sixth, 11th, ninth and eighth in their last five La Liga campaigns, but they are currently down in 15th position in the table – just six points clear of the relegation zone. The situation is not quite terminal, but they have lost four of their last five in the league to leave themselves staring down the table with concern in the penultimate month of the campaign.
Incredibly, Malaga have actually only won once in the league since November 2016, which was a 2-1 victory at home to Las Palmas on February 20. They had a brilliant October and November – losing just once – but have been dropping down the table since then. The board will hope that Michel can stop the slump as the club bid to keep their spot in the top flight of Spanish football.
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There were some signs of improvement in a goalless draw away to Leganes before the international break, but they have some very tough matches coming up, including at home to Barcelona next weekend. It seems unthinkable that a team with such talent could drop out of La Liga this term, but that is a serious possibility for Malaga unless the slump down the table is halted.
1 - Malaga have only won one of their last 11 league games vs Atletico (D4 L6), however this win was last season at La Rosaleda. Memory. pic.twitter.com/ZTVk58T1ev — OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 1, 2017
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. I think that this could be a tough 90 minutes for Atletico, but I do expect the visitors to win and move into the top three.
KICKOFF! Malaga kick things off on home soil...
... it is a beautiful night for a game of football. Not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere at La Rosaleda. It is vital that Malaga start well against this in-form Atleti side.
Thomas appears to be operating on the right of the Atletico midfield tonight, with Koke starting in a central position. Griezmann, meanwhile, is right alongside Torres in the final third. It has been a bright start from the visitors as they look to penetrate through the heart of the Malaga defence.
Sandro has been nice and bright for Malaga in the opening six minutes as he continues to occupy Atletico's two centre-backs, although the away side are enjoying more of the ball. Koke has the chance to test Kameni with a strike from distance, and the Malaga goalkeeper makes a decent save.
Nasty collision between Miguel Torres and Savic inside the Malaga box brings a stoppage.
Play resumes, and it does appear that both players will be fit to continue, although Miguel Torres came off worse in the collision. There have already been some heavy collisions in this match.
We are still waiting for the first real chance of this match, with Koke's effort from distance the closest that either side have come to making the breakthrough thus far. Atletico look the team more likely to make something happen, but Malaga are dangerous on the counter-attack here.
Camacho rises above everyone inside the Atletico box, but his header is wide.
It is great to see Fernando Torres throwing myself around tonight so soon after that awful head injury. The striker has been very busy in the opening 14 minutes as he continues to look for Griezmann, who has just dropped a little deeper as Malaga enjoy decent possession of the ball.
Good spell for Malaga as they continue to deliver high balls into the Atletico box, but Savic is on hand with two brilliant defensive headers to clear his lines. Great defending from Savic there.
MALAGA SUB! Miguel Torres cannot continue and Ricca enters the field.
Atletico are just struggling to clear their lines at the moment as Malaga continue to force the issue, although Oblak has still not had a save to make in the opening 17 minutes of this contest.
BOOKING! Lucas (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Keko.
Sandro again causes Atletico problems as he drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Savic is on hand to make the clearance and the visitors eventually win a free kick. Still goalless with 21 minutes on the clock, and neither side has really done enough to deserve to lead.
Savic appears to impede Keko just outside the Atletico box and the home side want a free kick, but the referee is not interested. That incident brought a bit of ill-feeling between the two coaches!
Half-chance for Atletico as Luis spots the run of Saul inside the Malaga box and finds the midfielder with a super cross, but his effort is straight into the arms of Kameni, who was well-placed to collect. End-to-end football here as Malaga look straight down the other end.
GOAL! Malaga 0-1 Atletico (Koke)
Atletico make the breakthrough in the 26th minute as Koke slides the ball home from inside the Malaga box after a cute turn from Fernando Torres had released the Spain midfielder!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at La Rosaleda and Atletico, as things stand, are moving into third position in the table above Sevilla. Malaga, however, have already shown that they can cause problems tonight, especially when Sandro manages to isolate Savic and Hernandez.
BOOKING! Savic (Atletico) is booked for a lunge on Sandro.
Both of Atletico's centre-backs are now on yellow cards, and that will be a concern for Simeone, especially with Sandro's ability to commit defenders. Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Malaga are enjoying decent possession in the final third of the field.
Sandro goes down inside the Atletico box, but the referee is not interested and play resumes. Sandro has been a real problem for the away side in the opening 36 minutes of this match.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Malaga are doing their best to force the issue with a series of crosses into the away side's penalty box.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and Koke's goal is still the difference between the two teams. There has been a lot of free kicks in the last 10 or so minutes, which has really interrupted the flow. It has not been a great spectacle since Koke opened the scoring here.
CHANCE! Wonderful effort from Keko as the Spaniard produces a wonderful piece of skill to spin and flick a cross from Rosales towards the bottom corner, but Oblak saves!
We are into the one minute of added time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading Malaga 1-0 at the break courtesy of a smart finish from Koke, who registered in the 26th minute. The visitors have had bits and pieces in the final third, but Atletico just about deserve their lead at the break.
STATISTICS! Malaga have actually had more of the ball with 59%, while they managed nine attempts in the first period, but just one of those was on target. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with all three of their attempts. Two bookings to report - Lucas (19 min) and Savic (31 min).
BENCH WATCH! Suspension and injuries have harmed Simeone's options tonight, but the Atletico boss does have the likes of Cerci and Correa in reserve. Malaga, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Castro and Duda, but the home side have already been forced into a defensive change, with Ricca taking the place of Miguel Torres, who picked up an injury in the 15th minute.
RESTART! Atletico resume the action at La Rosaleda...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
You just get the feeling that Malaga need to score the next goal tonight if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. Atletico are tough enough to play against, but with a 2-0 deficit, it would surely be game, set and match. Not a lot happening at the moment here.
The home supporters are staying with their team, but not much is happening in terms of Malaga pressure as Atletico continue to sit deep and absorb the pressure. It remains 1-0 Atletico.
ATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces Thomas for the away side here.
The offside flag goes against Fernando Torres after the Atletico striker had collected a long ball from Koke. Malaga look for the quick break, but the final pass is again wayward from Sandro.
Much better from Malaga as they manage to put some serious pressure on the Atletico defence, but strong defending from Saul allows the visitors to clear their lines once again. We are entering the stage of the match where Malaga boss Michel will be considering making an attacking change.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at La Rosaleda, and Atletico still lead courtesy of that Koke effort in the 26th minute. You do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, although chances have been few and far between since the action restarted after the break.
Possession football for Malaga as they decide to take a patient approach, but they cannot seem to move Atletico out of their defensive shape, and another long ball is wasted from the home side.
MALAGA SUB! Recio replaces Rodriguez for the home side.
No real movement on the Atletico bench at the moment, but it would not be a surprise to see Godin thrown on for the final 20 minutes or so. The Uruguay centre-back arrived back from international duty late and was not risked from the start, which was a smart call from Simeone.
Atletico are not too interested in attacking at the moment as they sit deep and absorb the pressure. Malaga are having plenty of the ball, but they just cannot find a route past the Atleti defence.
The Malaga supporters are doing their best to raise their team here, but there is no real urgency about the home side as Atletico simply sit deep and hold their shape. If Malaga are going to find a route back into this match, then the dangerous Sandro will surely be at the heart of it.
It is not too difficult to see why Malaga are really struggling at the moment. They have plenty of talented players, but there is no real urgency about them, while some of their deliveries from set pieces have been bordering on atrocious. The overall quality just has not been there tonight.
Juan Carlos sends one into orbit as he hits one on the volley from a corner.
MALAGA SUB! Santos replaces Keko for the home side.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Griezmann to score a second for Atletico, but the Frenchman's low effort is wide of the Malaga post. Should have been game, set and match.
GOAL! Malaga 0-2 Atletico (Luis)
Atletico double their lead in the 74th minute as Luis chips the ball over the onrushing Kameni after a really smart pass from Torres. That should be good night in terms of this match.
BOOKING! Juan Carlos (Malaga) is booked for a late tackle on Correa.
Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and Atletico are heading for third position in the table. Malaga, meanwhile, are set to remain in 15th as their poor form in the league continues.
Oblak drops down low to keep out a long-range strike from Sandro.
CHANCE! Little under 10 minutes of football remaining at La Rosaleda, and it is Malaga that are on the front foot as they look to make the latter stages interesting. Diego Llorente has a super chance to hit back, but the centre-back puts a close-range header wide of the post.
SAVE! Oblak keeps out a chipped effort from Sandro.
Oblak pushes a Santos effort wide of the post as Malaga continue to press forward. Not too sure why the home side did not play like this when the score was 0-0 or indeed 1-0 Atletico.
ATLETICO SUB! Godin replaces Griezmann for Atletico.
Rosales spins inside the Atletico box before firing towards goal, but Oblak makes the save.
In fairness to the home supporters, they have stayed with their team throughout this match, and that will be the case for the remainder of the season, which is turning into a long slog!
ATLETICO SUB! Gimenez replaces Luis for the away side.
SAVE! Kameni keeps out a strike from Correa.
Rosales fires one into the stands and Malaga's misery tonight is almost complete.
Camacho hits one from distance, but his low effort is wide of the post.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 0-2 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 2-0 winners over Malaga as Simeone's side move above Sevilla into third position in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
