Top-four hopefuls Sevilla welcomed La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to the Estadio Ramon on Sunday evening looking to defend their unbeaten home record in the league this season.
Both sides had half-chances in the first 45 minutes, but the two rivals entered the interval on terms.
It was a similar story in the second half, with neither making the breakthrough as the scores finished level.
The point keeps Atletico third, while Sevilla are now seven points off fourth-place Valencia.
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 Ramon as Sevilla welcome Atletico Madrid in arguably the game of the weekend. Both sides are in desperate need of the points and this has all the makings of a classic from Seville. The atmosphere is already building.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Seville.
TEAMS
SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Arribas, Kolo, Navarro; Iborra, Krychowiak; Vidal, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Gamez; Gabi, Tiago, Suarez; GarcIa, Griezmann, Turan
So there we have it. Still no Beto, Daniel Carrico or Nico Pareja for the home side, but the skipper Coke does return following a period on the sidelines. Ever Banega and Vitolo are also selected as supports to the lone forward Carlos Bacca. Kevin Gameiro and Denis Suarez, however, are only on the bench.
Atletico, meanwhile, have key midfielder Koke back and available for selection, but the Spaniard is only on the bench, as is leading scorer Mario Mandzukic, which is somewhat of a surprise. Antoine Griezmann will seemingly operate through the middle, with Raul Garcia and Arda Turan in support. Jesus Gamez, meanwhile, starts at left-back in place of the injured Guilherme Siqueira.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won three of the last five matches, with the further two games ending in draws. Earlier this season, Atletico won the reverse match 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon, while they also recorded a 3-1 victory in this stadium last season.
Sevilla, however, are the only team in La Liga this season that have not been beaten at home. They have won nine of their 12 matches – drawing three times in the process. As it stands, Unai Emery's side sit fifth in the table, but they are now eight points behind fourth-place Valencia, who beat Real Sociedad earlier, and just one point ahead of sixth-place Villarreal, who travel to Real Madrid tonight.
Sevilla will also enter the match off the back of a 4-3 defeat at Real Sociedad last weekend, but they booked their spot in the last-16 stage of the Europa League with a 3-2 win at Borussia Monchengladbach on Thursday. As mentioned, Sevilla's home form has been very strong, but they have lost seven times on the road, which has been their problem in recent months. They have also lost four of their last six games in the league and their performances have dropped in recent weeks.
Atletico, meanwhile, remain third in the table, but they have been joined on 53 points by Valencia, who beat Real Sociedad 2-0 earlier this afternoon. Diego Simeone's side have won five of their last six in the league, but they are still seven points behind the league leaders Real Madrid, who welcome Villarreal to the Bernabeu this evening, while Barcelona are six points ahead of Atletico in second.
The visitors will also enter this match off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League on Wednesday. As a whole, in both Europe and La Liga, Atletico's away form has been disappointing this season. In the league, they have dropped points in five of their 11 away games – losing four times. Tonight is another serious test for the capital side.
PREDICTION! Have a look at 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. Who will triumph in this fascinating match in Seville? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, which is definitely not a surprise. The home side have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges, which Atletico would have expected. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be absolutely vital here.
Raul Garcia flies into a challenge with Banega, but the referee is sensible and just has a little word. The official will need to be strong here, especially in the early exchanges. It has been a fast start.
It has been a little untidy in the last couple of minutes, with late challenges arriving from both teams. Sevilla have had the majority of the ball, but neither has been able to fashion a chance thus far.
This really is vital for both sides tonight. Lose and Atletico are probably out of the title race, while they would also drop to fourth position in the table. Sevilla still have hopes of a top-four finish, but they need to overcome their recent struggles. All the pressing is coming from the hosts at the moment.
The home side remain in control of the possession, with Iborra and Krychowiak exchanging passes in the middle of the park. Griezmann has indeed started as the lone forward for Atletico, with Turan operating just behind the Frenchman. It is a surprise that Mandzukic is not in the away side's XI.
Sevilla have a free kick just outside the box as Bacca is felled by Miranda. Super chance here...
... Banega delivers low, but it is a very straight-forward clearance for Diego Godin.
Still no yellow cards, but the challenges continue to mount up as Turan is pulled to the ground. Who will be the first to enter the referee's book? It cannot be too far off that is for certain!
Miranda versus Bacca is an interesting battle at the moment. Two South Americans!
Half-chance for the home side as Bacca finds space outside the box, but his low effort was always comfortable for Moya, who was on hand to collect. Still goalless with 14 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla as Iborra leads a charge before attempting to find Bacca, but it takes a deflection off Miranda and Moya has to palm clear. Bacca was in close proximity, but Atletico manage to force it clear. The better work, certainly in the final third, is coming from the hosts.
Bacca again tries his luck for the hosts, but once again Moya makes a comfortable save.
BOOKING! Arribas (Sevilla) goes into the book for a late challenge on Garcia. Atletico have a free kick just outside the box. Wonderful opportunity to open the scoring here...
... Griezmann takes the set piece, but his curling effort was always moving high of the crossbar.
Atletico have just managed to force some good possession in the last couple of minutes, while Bacca has been penalised for a couple of high challenges. Still goalless though with 23 played in Seville.
On the face of it, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either side tonight. However, it might well end Sevilla's hopes of finishing in the top four and indeed Atletico's title challenge. The hosts have just regained control in the last few minutes, but Atletico's defence remains strong.
POST! Incredible opportunity for the home side to open the scoring as Iborra meets a super cross from Banega, but his effort clips the outside of the post. So close to an opener here!
The opening 30 minutes of this contest have just flown past and there is no question that the hosts have been the better team. Still no goal, however, which might come back to haunt them later on.
Moya has been the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far, with the Spaniard forced to collect another deep cross to take the pressure off the Atletico defence. The home supporters remain in good voice as we approach the final stages of the first period. As expected, it has been very tight thus far.
Half-chance for the away side as Garcia meets a deep cross from Gabi, but his header was always dropping over the crossbar. No real chances to speak of since Iborra rattled the post for Sevilla.
Another half-chance for Bacca, but again the striker turns over Moya's crossbar from inside the box.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. Atletico have improved after a slow start and force another corner through Arribas, but the delivery from Turan is short of the Turk's normal quality. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.
BOOKING! Turan (Atletico) is booked for fouling Banega.
Turan just needs to be a little bit careful as he challenges the referee's decision. The last thing that Atletico need is to go down to 10 men against a team that has not lost at home in the league this season.
Half-chance for the home side as Navarro meets an excellent cross from Banega, but the defender's header was always moving wide of the post. Navarro has not scored since 2007 and you can see why!
A draw at this stage of the match is probably just about fair, with Atletico responding from a slow start. The hosts have not created too many opportunities, however, which will be a concern.
Coke is next to try his luck for the home side, but the right-back fires high and wide of the crossbar after meeting a loose ball outside the box. Good spell for Sevilla late in the first period.
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Banega.
Griezmann is ruled offside for the visitors as we head for stoppage time in Seville.
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Sevilla have shaded the match in general and indeed had the best chance - Iborra hitting the post from close range. Atletico have had their moments, however, during a tight and patchy first 45 minutes.
STATS! Sevilla have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had seven attempts - two of which have been on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have had three attempts, but thus far failed to test the home side's goalkeeper. There have also been three bookings during a feisty opening half.
BENCH WATCH! Sevilla boss Emery has plenty of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Gameiro, Reyes and Denis Suarez all in reserve. Atletico, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Cani, Jimenez, Koke, Mandzukic and Torres. Fairly forward-thinking bench for the visitors!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a goal at the Estadio Ramon? Let's hope so! It is the visitors that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15 or 20 minutes in Seville.
Half-chance for Atletico as Garcia finds space in a wide area before sliding a pass into Griezmann, but the Frenchman just cannot collect at the vital moment. Sevilla are down the other end moments later, but Atletico quickly close the space in the final third. Still goalless with 49 minutes played.
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Gabi.
BOOKING! Gamez (Atletico) is now in the book for blocking the run of Iborra.
BOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a late one on Iborra. Card count rising!
Not much football at the moment as late challenges continue to interrupt the flow.
BOOKING! Suarez (Atletico) is now booked for throwing an arm into the face of Vidal.
CHANCE! The resulting free kick is delivered by Banega and met by Arribas, but Moya is down to make a very smart save. Nothing much from the visitors in the second period it must be said.
Griezmann tries his luck for the away side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Seville.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Fernando Torres replaces Turan.
Sevilla continue to force the issue as Navarro delivers a super cross from the left, but Garcia appears from nowhere to clear ahead of Bacca, who looked certain to make contact at the far post.
CHANCE! Atletico's best chance by some distance as Torres drives into the Sevilla box before squaring for Griezmann, but the Frenchman cannot make proper contact and Rico makes the save.
Torres has been a menace for Atletico since entering, with the Spaniard all over the Sevilla defence.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Koke replaces Gabi.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Iborra.
To sum up the second period - plenty of cards, a couple of changes and a couple of opportunities. It has been scrappy for the most part, but you just get the feeling that the opening goal is close.
Navarro tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya. Navarro, as mentioned, is without a goal since 2007. The wait continues!
Half-chance for Atletico this time as Torres combines with Griezmann before attempting to curl one past Rico, but the Sevilla goalkeeper is down to make the save. Still goalless in this one.
SUBS! Sevilla make a double change as Mbia and Reyes replace Coke and Arribas.
Koke attempts to deliver a cross towards the far post, but again it is comfortable for the Sevilla goalkeeper, who releases Reyes down-field. Still goalless with 72 minutes on the clock in Seville.
Reyes tries his luck for the home side after finding a pocket of space outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of Moya's post. Both managers have one permitted change remaining.
Reyes has made a strong impact for the home side since entering and the Spaniard again does brilliantly to set up Vitolo inside the box, but the winger's touch is just too heavy and the danger is cleared. Atletico are preparing to make their third change here, with Mandzukic ready to enter.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Mandzukic replaces Griezmann.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and we are still waiting for the first goal here. Will it arrive? Bacca dances his way into the Atletico box and goes down, but the referee points for a corner instead of a spot kick. A goal at this stage of the match probably wins it to be truthful.
SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
Reyes again finds some space in the final third for Sevilla, but the Spaniard cannot collect a pass from Iborra and the chance is gone. We are entering the final 10 minutes with the score still goalless.
BOOKING! Mbia (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Mandzukic.
Atletico threaten from a cross as Juanfran delivers towards the far post, but Rico collects under pressure from Mandzukic. Moments later, Garcia tries his luck from inside his own half, but it goes wide of the post for a goal kick. Little over five minutes of this fascinating match remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico as Torres breaks into the final third before working space inside the box, but his low effort whistles wide of the post. Good work from Torres.
Vitolo tries his luck for the home side after a short corner is worked to the midfielder outside the box, but his curling effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still goalless in Seville tonight.
Sevilla are doing most of the late pressing here, but Atletico are fairly comfortable in defensive areas. As it stands, Atletico would remain third, but they would be six points off the leaders Real Madrid.
BOOKING! Miranda (Atletico) is booked for throwing an arm into the face of Gameiro.
Just a reminder that following this match, I shall be covering Real Madrid against Villarreal - be sure to remain with me for that one. Right, back to Seville, still goalless with 89 minutes on the clock.
Suarez has a half-chance for Atletico, but his curling effort is straight into the arms of Rico.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the Estadio Ramon.
Atletico continue to defend the edge of their own box as we approach the final moments here. Sevilla have been the better team overall, but it does appear that the points will be shared tonight.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a lunge on Garcia.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Sevilla and Atletico sharing the points in a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
