Atletico Madrid welcomed capital rivals Getafe to the Vicente Calderon for a La Liga clash on Tuesday evening.
The home side entered the half-time break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of an early strike from Antoine Griezmann.
Getafe had chances of their own in an open second period, but could not level the terms and the points were secured in the final minute when Griezmann netted his second of the match.
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 Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Getafe. It has been a typically strong start to the new campaign for Diego Simeone's side, but the same cannot be said for Getafe, who have lost three of their four league games thus far.
Getafe did win 3-0 in this stadium back in May 2010, before winning 3-2 on their home patch in November of the same year, but they have not had much joy since. Indeed, Getafe have lost on each of their last five visits to the Calderon, including a 7-0 defeat in November 2013. Last season, Atletico were 2-0 winners and Simeone's side also recorded a 1-0 victory in the reverse game earlier in the season.
TEAM NEWS! Diego Simeone has made six changes to his team from the XI that started against Eibar, with Oliver Torres and Fernando Torres both starting. There is a debut at centre-back for summer signing Stefan Savic, while Guilherme Siqueira comes into the team in place of Filipe Luis. Koke's injury means that there is a spot for Saul Niguez, while Yannick Ferreira Carrasco is also included.
ATLETICO XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Siqueira; Gabi, Saul, Oliver; Carrasco, Torres, Griezmann
We are still waiting on the confirmed team news for Getafe, who do tend to take their time when it comes to revealing who is in the starting XI. I shall bring you up-to-date when it is available!
As it stands, Atletico sit fifth in the La Liga table on nine points – three behind the leaders Barcelona, who have won all four league games thus far this season. Real Madrid, Villarreal and Celta Vigo have 10 points, meanwhile, having all opened with three wins and a draw. In truth, Atletico really cannot afford to drop more points at this stage if they have ambitions of another title challenge.
It has been a solid rather than spectacular start to the new season for Atletico, who opened with a 1-0 win at home to Las Palmas. Simeone's side then recorded an excellent 3-0 victory away at Sevilla to move onto six points, but were then beaten 2-1 at home by Barcelona on September 12.
The capital outfit returned to winning ways last time out, however, as second-half goals from Andrea Correa and Fernando Torres were enough to beat Eibar 2-0 at the Ipurua. Their Champions League campaign also recently got underway with a very impressive 2-0 victory away to Galatasaray.
TEAMS
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Siqueira; Gabi, Saul, Oliver; Carrasco, Torres, Griezmann
GETAFE: Guaita; Suarez, Alexis, Vergini, Vigaray; Medran, Rodriguez; Leon, Victor, Lafita; Scepovic
So there we have it. The Atletico team news has been discussed below, but Getafe have now been kind enough to reveal their XI. On-loan Celtic striker Stefan Scepovic, who scored against Malaga last time out, once again leads the line for Fran Escriba's side, while there is a spot in their XI for on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Medran. Pedro Leon will skipper the team from an attacking area.
Right, back to the build-up with kickoff just 30 minutes away. Having won the Spanish title in the 2013-14 season, Atletico entered last season as the defending champions. In truth, they never looked like defending their crown and eventually finished third, some 16 points off the winners Barcelona and 14 behind second-place Real Madrid. Closing that gap is the challenge facing Simeone this season.
In fact, Atletico only finished two points ahead of fifth-place Sevilla last season and missing out on the top four would have been seen as a very poor campaign. Their home form in the league last season was very strong, winning 14 of their 19 games, but they dropped points in 10 of their 19 away fixtures.
In relation to Barcelona and Real Madrid, scoring goals was a problem for Atletico last season, but their summer business suggests that they will be a lot closer. Thus far, they have hit seven goals in their four games, which is just one fewer than Barcelona. Down the other end, they have conceded just twice.
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Getafe, meanwhile, recorded a much-needed three points at home to Malaga on Friday evening. That victory moved them out of the relegation zone into 14th, but the early signs are that it will be a difficult campaign. In truth, it is a big ask for the capital side to take anything from this match.
Fran Escriba's side opened the new season with a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol, before losing 2-1 at home to Granada in their next match. Another defeat followed at Athletic Bilbao after the international break, but as mentioned, an early strike from Stefan Scepovic saw them beat Malaga last time out.
Getafe are currently playing their 12th consecutive season of La Liga football, but they have not finished in the top half since 2012-13, when they ended the campaign in 10th. Their last two seasons have brought 13th and 15th and the early suggestions are that it will be a difficult campaign this time around.
Getafe actually finished sixth in the 2009-10 season and also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, but those memories will seem a long way away for the supporters. Due to the presence of the two Madrid giants, Getafe struggle to attract the crowds that would push them to the next level.
In terms of transfer business, it was a fairly busy summer. Damian Suarez, Cala and Balazs Megyeri all arrived on free transfers, while the likes of Santiago Vergini, Bernard Mensah and Scepovic joined on loan. Their biggest departure was Sergio Escudero, who joined Sevilla for in excess of £2m.
Getafe did have some good news earlier this month, however, when it was revealed that Pedro Leon had signed a new long-term contract. The Spaniard appeared certain to be on his way out after not being registered at the start of last season, but the problems behind the scenes have since been addressed and the talented midfielder now has a new deal until 2018. You can read what he had to say about that here.
PREDICTION! It is a much-changed XI that will take to the field for Atletico this evening, but I still think that they will be too strong for Getafe. It might not be the best of games for long spells, with the visitors taking up a defensive shape, but for me, Atletico will emerge 2-0 winners at the Calderon.
KICK OFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action. It is a beautiful evening in Madrid - let's hope the football matches up! Atletico get us underway...
... as expected, it has been a bright start from the home side, with Griezmann already playing a flick into the path of Torres, but the Spaniard was standing in an offside position. It must be said that there is an excellent atmosphere inside the stadium. Not the biggest of derbies, but a derby nonetheless.
BOOKING! Siqueira (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
You cannot miss Getafe this evening in their extremely bright yellow/green kit, that is for sure. It has been a positive start from both teams, but Atletico have been the more threatening thus far, with Siqueira delivering another dangerous cross towards Torres, but Alexis is across to clear the danger.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Getafe (Griezmann)
Atletico take the lead in the fourth minute as Griezmann beats the offside trap before finishing from close range. Getafe were looking for a flag when the ball was clipped back into the box, but Alexis was playing the Frenchman onside. Poor defending, but the home supporters will not mind!
Well, Getafe would have wanted to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes here without conceding, but that plan is now out of the window. All of the early pressure is coming from the home side.
In fairness to Getafe, they have started to move the ball in the last couple of minutes and indeed win a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas. Leon stands over the latest set piece, but his delivery is hooked clear by Saul Niguez. I have a feeling we have not seen the last of the goals this evening.
It has been a decent spell for Getafe in the last few minutes as they keep possession of the ball, but the home side have been pretty comfortable at the back in the opening 12 minutes of action. Just a reminder that three points for Atletico this evening would move them level on 12 points with Barcelona.
Siqueira is a lucky boy as the left-back, who has already been booked, dives into a challenge with Leon, but the referee gives the Atletico defender the benefit of the doubt. He is guilty of that!
Atletico again threaten as Griezmann finds space outside the Getafe box before sliding a pass into Torres, but Alexis just does enough to clear. The pressure continues from another cross, but Suarez is on hand to hack clear of his own penalty box. Good tempo to the game at this early stage in Madrid.
There are plenty of crosses coming into the Getafe box at the moment, but Alexis and Vergini are both good in the air and it has been a pretty couple few minutes for the away side here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Atletico are still in control of the possession, with Oliver Torres seeing plenty of the ball in the final third. Carrasco tries his luck after finding space in a wide area, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Oliver Torres has been fantastic for Atletico in the opening 22 minutes here, with the teenager at the heart of everything. Siqueira has also been heavily involved down the left and delivers another dangerous cross towards the far post, but Vigaray manages to clear. Still 1-0 to the hosts here.
Atletico continue to threaten down the left as Siqueira combines with Griezmann before delivering, but Torres cannot make contact ahead of Alexis. Leon really needs to help his right-back out!
Fernando Torres and Vigaray have a clash of heads and the Getafe full-back is still down here...
... Vigaray looks very dazed, but it appears that he will be given the all-clear to continue.
Fernando Torres and Griezmann both call for free kicks after going down outside the Getafe box within a few seconds of each other, but the referee is not interested. Plenty happening here!
Atletico remain in control of this match, but there has not really been a clear chance since the goal, which came back in the fourth minute. Getafe are doing their best to make ground in the final third, but they are wary of committing too many players forward. This first period is just flying past.
Getafe's first shot on target comes from Lafita, but it is a very comfortable save for Oblak.
You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - will be vital. A second for Atletico would almost kill the game, even at this stage, but one for Getafe would make this home crowd very nervous. Possession football from the hosts as we pass the 30-minute mark here.
Siqueira, who was booked in the second minute, has arguably been Atletico's biggest threat in this first period as the left-back continues to drive forward and deliver good quality. The set-piece delivery has been a little disappointing, however, with Guaita comfortable with everything in the air.
Atletico might be leading here, but their manager Diego Simeone does not look entirely happy. In fact, he does not look happy at all. Plenty of arm waving and shouting from the Argentine here.
BOOKING! Alexis (Getafe) is booked for a high challenge on Torres.
Not an awful lot happening in terms of opportunities at the moment, but Getafe have just managed to secure a good spell of possession, which is allowing them to grow in confidence at the Calderon.
It has been an untidy game in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced into action to issue a number of free kicks. In truth, there have not really been many opportunities since the goal.
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a challenge on Lafita.
CHANCES! Easily Getafe's best moments of the first period as a good cross from Suarez finds Scepovic at the far post, but the striker can only find the side meeting from close range. The same player then capitalises on a defensive mistake from Atletico, but his low strike is pushed away by Oblak.
That spell has certainly given Getafe confidence and they will seemingly end this first period on the front foot. Atletico, on the other hand, have been a little sloppy in possession during this period.
Just the one minute to be added at the end of this first period.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of an early strike from Griezmann. The home side have not really kicked on, however, and it was Getafe that came closest to levelling with a good spell in the latter stages of the half. Far from finished here!
STATISTICS! Atletico have had more of the possession (57%), while they have had five attempts, but just one of those - the goal - was on target. As for Getafe, they have hit the target with two of their three attempts. It has also been a lively game in terms of challenges, with three yellows already issued.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico boss Simeone has an embarrassment of riches on his bench this evening, with the likes of Tiago, Correa, Martinez and Vietto all capable of making a difference in the final third. As for Getafe, Escriba has the likes of Mensah, Sarabia and Vasquez on an attacking bench.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Getafe get back on level terms here? It is the visitors that restart proceedings at the Calderon...
... ATLETICO SUB! Angel Correa has replaced Carrasco at the break.
Atletico will be looking for an early goal in this second period to almost put the game to bed. Getafe, however, ended the first half on the front foot and certainly have the personnel to hurt the hosts.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second half, but both teams are committing numbers in the final third. Siqueira remains the main danger in a wide position, but there have been no takers on any of his crosses thus far. Vigaray, meanwhile, who had a clash of heads in the first half, again clashes with Griezmann and the young full-back is laid out on the ground...
... Vigaray is moving his arms, but he will surely have to be subbed here.
Vigaray wants to come back on here, but it looks as if the medical team are not happy with that decision. Meanwhile, as Getafe play on with 10 men, Atletico are moving the ball in the final third.
Vigaray is indeed back on here - wow. Atletico have a half-chance as Oliver Torres sets the ball back to Griezmann, but Alexis is on hand to make the block. Better tempo to the game now.
Getafe appear to be growing in confidence as this second period gathers pace, which has not gone unnoticed with the home supporters, who are just becoming a little bit frustrated here.
Super work from the visitors as Vigaray drives down the left before finding Lafita, who delivers a super cross towards the six-yard box, but there are no takers. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining at the Calderon and Griezmann's fourth-minute goal is still the difference in Madrid.
ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres is replaced by Jackson Martinez.
Still no movement on the Getafe bench, but I suspect that Escriba has some alterations in mind as the second half continues to gather pace. There might just be something in this for the visitors.
Alvaro Medran has a half-chance for Getafe after more good work from Lafita, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar for a corner. This is a good spell for the visitors and it has brought Simeone to his feet. The home side have not really got going in this second half it must be said.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Getafe to level as Leon is played through by Medran, but the skipper can only poke wide of the post from close range. What an opportunity for the Spaniard!
ATLETICO SUB! Tiago replaces Oliver Torres in Atletico's final change.
Half-chance for the home side as Correa is set up on the edge of the box, but his deflected effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 with little over 20 minutes of football remaining here.
The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment as Atletico manage to regain a period of control, but after breaking into a good position, Gabi can only deliver into the arms of Guaita.
Getafe are preparing to make their first change of the match at the Calderon...
... GETAFE SUB! Getafe make their first change as Wanderson replaces Leon.
Another half-chance for the home side as Saul strikes one from the edge of the box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still 1-0 to the hosts with little under 20 minutes remaining.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Medran.
We have not seen too much of Martinez since the striker entered in the second period, but a powerful strike from the Colombian brings Atletico a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the far post, but once again the visitors are strong in the air. You just sense there is another goal in this.
CHANCE! Martinez has his chance after meeting a super cross from Gabi, but the striker's angled header was always moving wide of the mark. Much better from Atletico in the last few moments here.
It has all become very frantic in the last few minutes, with Atletico delivering a host of crosses into the Getafe box. A header from Godin almost sets up Griezmann, but Guaita makes a strong claim.
Again it is good work from Correa as the Atletico forward finds a yard of space inside the Getafe box before angling one towards the bottom corner, but Guaita is once again on hand to make the save.
BOOKING! Lafita (Getafe) is booked for an elbow on Gabi.
GETAFE SUB! Alvaro Vasquez replaces Lafita for the visitors.
Bernard Mensah is about to come on against his parent club here...
... GETAFE SUB! The change is made as Mensah replaces Juan Rodriguez.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game and Getafe are the team moving the ball in the final third. Vasquez goes down inside the Atletico box, but the referee says no thanks!
Almost a half-chance for the home side as Correa collects a loose ball outside the box and attempts to slide a pass into Griezmann, but it is just too long for the Frenchman. Still more than five minutes of normal time remaining and Getafe are committing plenty of players forward at the moment.
Getafe remain in control of the possession at the moment, with Atletico dropping deep, but the visitors are not exactly creating many clear opportunities. It is so delicately poised here!
All of the pressure is coming from the visitors as they continue to deliver into the Atletico box, but the home side and especially Godin are clearing everything. Tense moments at the Calderon here!
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Getafe (Griezmann)
Atletico secure all three points at the Calderon as Martinez drives down the left before rolling a low cross into Griezmann, who cannot miss from close range. Game, set and match in Madrid!
We are into the second of four additional minutes here.
CHANCE! Atletico have a wonderful chance to make it 3-0 after more good work from Correa, but neither Griezmann nor Martinez can convert from close range. That would have been harsh on Getafe!
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Getafe
I hope you followed my pre-game prediction! Atletico indeed win this game 2-0 to move onto 12 points for the season - level with the leaders Barcelona, who travel to Celta Vigo tomorrow. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for another entertaining night of Spanish football. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
