Half-Time Report: Koke puts Atletico Madrid in front

Koke's tap-in has put Atletico Madrid in a commanding position going into half time of their Group A clash with Malmo this evening.

Malmo, who have already won their domestic title, started in combative mood as Atletico found it difficult to find space in the middle of the park early on.

The visitors' initial chances came from set pieces, with Koke's corner threatening to curl past Robin Olsen, but the Malmo keeper did well to make a save under his own crossbar.

Markus Halsti was eventually presented with the home side's first real chance and fired straight at Miguel Angel Moya before Atletico's Mario Mandzukic headed over from an offside position.

The Swedish side were looking to continue their impressive record, having scored in all 15 of their home league games in 2014, and looked particularly dangerous in wide areas.

Despite their neat attacking play it was Atletico who really should have taken the lead when Raul Garcia picked up a pass from Koke inside the box, but his effort from point-blank range was too close to Olsen and the opportunity was wasted.

They did not dwell on the missed chance, however, and Koke gave his side the lead after tapping in from Juanfran's low drilled cross.

Emil Forsberg was given a great chance to equalise when unmarked inside the box but he could not get a shot away, meaning that the half ended 0-1.