Atletico Madrid welcomed Deportivo La Coruna to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday knowing that three points would temporarily move the Spanish champions into second spot in La Liga.
The home side had the better of the first period and took the lead late in the half through Saul Niguez.
Atletico's second arrived before the hour mark, with Modibo Diakite turning into his own net from close range under pressure from Arda Turan.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as the champions Atletico Madrid welcome a struggling Deportivo La Coruna. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Madrid.
TEAMS
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Ansaldi; Tiago, Koke; Turan, Saul, Griezmann; Mandzukic
DEPORTIVO: Fabricio; Juanfran, Diakite, Sidnei, Insua; Wilk, Medunjanin; Rodriguez, Cavaleiro, Luisinho; Postiga
So there we have it. Atletico are without Brazilian centre-back Miranda for this afternoon's match, meaning that Jose Gimenez starts alongside Diego Godin. There is also a spot in the XI for Saul Niguez, while Mario Mandzukic will lead the line with support from Antoine Griezmann and Arda Turan.
Depor, meanwhile, will seemingly line up with one striker this afternoon, with the experienced Helder Postiga given the forward position. On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Jose Rodriguez also starts, but former Barcelona attacker Isaac Cuenca is left on the bench at the Vicente Calderon.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have one four of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a goalless draw. The last time that the pair met in this stadium was in December 2012, when Atletico were 6-0 winners. In addition, Depor have failed to score a single goal in their last five meetings with the capital outfit. Will that record continue this afternoon?
Following Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Malaga last night, Los Blancos sit atop the La Liga table on 33 points – seven clear of Atletico, who have played one game less. Atletico's home record this season has been strong with five wins and a draw, but they have already lost twice on the road this term.
However, since losing 2-1 to Real Sociedad before the international break, Atletico have won their last two in all competitions. They returned to form in the league with a 3-1 win over Malaga last weekend, before thumping Olympiacos 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Deportivo, meanwhile, who gained promotion from the Segunda last season, have taken just 10 points from their 12 league games this season, with that run of form leaving them in 18th. They have only won twice in the league this term, drawing four and losing seven in the process.
However, Depor are unbeaten in their last two games and have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the process. Those two goalless draws occurred against Cordoba and Real Sociedad, but they have struggled for goals on the road this season – registering just four times in their six away matches.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to make a case for Depor this afternoon. Atletico's home record is exceptional and they have been in superb form since returning from the international break. My score prediction is 3-0 Atletico, with Mandzukic among the goals.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is the away side that get the first period underway on this warm afternoon in Madrid.
It has been a decent start from the visitors, with the likes of Wilk and Rodriguez gaining possession in the early moments. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium, with both sets of supporters making their voices heard inside this superb Vicente Calderon ground.
Atletico have scored 70% of their goals from set-pieces this season and they have had a couple inside the opening four minutes here. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances, but the home side are just starting to take control of the ball, with Juanfran and Koke combining down the right.
Depor have been very composed in the early exchanges, but a loose pass from Juanfran allows Griezmann to break down the right. Griezmann slides a cross into Mandzukic, but Sidnei is on hand to clear the danger. Depor are down the other end moments later, but Moya clears ahead of Postiga.
Godin is forced to clear at the near post following a smart break from the away side, with Juanfran delivering a dangerous cross. The resulting corner is whipped towards Moya, but the Atletico stopper just does enough to clear the danger. Slightly nervy work from the Spaniard there.
POST! Atletico come close to taking the lead as Mandzukic meets a cross from Koke, but the Croatian's header hits the post before the danger is cleared. Unlucky!
The match continues to flow from end-to-end in the opening 11 minutes, with Atletico's main threat coming in wide areas and Deportivo threatening on the counter. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match.
Atletico scramble the ball home following a dangerous corner, but the referee blows for a free kick. The home side are so dangerous when the ball is inside the box.
BOOKING! Juanfran is booked for a late challenge on Ansaldi.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Koke, but Wilk is on hand to clear at the near post. Atletico are flooding the Depor box with set pieces at the moment. Can they make the breakthrough?
SUB! The visitors are forced into their first change of the match as Juanfran leaves the field with a hamstring problem. The defender's replacement is Laure.
Still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock and the visitors are certainly playing their part in the match. The referee has been forced to intervene in the last couple of minutes following a number of late tackles.
CHANCE! Atletico again come close as Turan drives down the right before finding Griezmann, who lifts a cross towards Saul at the far post, but the Spaniard just cannot make enough contact. The best two opportunities have fallen to the champions at the Calderon.
The early atmosphere inside the stands has just fizzled out in the last five minutes or so, while Depor have started to have some joy down the left. No real chances for the visitors thus far, but they are causing problems with Laure and Insua both operating in wide defensive positions.
Just a reminder that from 7.30pm this evening we have live coverage of Valencia against Barcelona - be sure to join me for that one. Atletico will hope to have moved above Barca before that match, but Depor are still holding out here, with the score goalless after 24 minutes of La Liga football.
Possession football from the away side in the last three minutes, with chances few and far between. If Atletico open the scoring, then you would have to fancy them to claim all the points. However, Depor have shown that they can threaten on the counter attack in the opening 27 minutes of action.
Couple of half-chances for Depor as Wilk and Rodriguez both have attempts from outside the box, but Godin and Gimenez are on hand to make excellent blocks. Good pressure from the visitors once more, with Laure prepared to advance into the final third whenever the opportunity arrises.
Atletico continue to threaten in wide areas, with Ansaldi and Juanfran both advanced when the home side have the ball, but Depor continue to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the away side need to hold out until the interval if they are to take something from the match.
BOOKING! Simeone is in trouble with the referee after arguing a decision, but the Argentine is politely told to return to his seat. It is all getting a little tetchy here as Mandzukic is booked for dissent. Still goalless with little over 10 minutes of this first period remaining in Madrid.
The home side continue to pepper the box with set pieces, but Depor have been excellent defending their own area thus far. Griezmann has struggled to get into the match, while Mandzukic has hardly featured since rattling the post with a clever header in the early exchanges of this La Liga clash.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and still goalless at the Calderon. The home side have looked the more likely to open the scoring, but Depor have had some positive moments.
Half-chance for Godin as the Atletico captain rises to meet a Koke cross, but Luisinho just does enough to unnerve the centre-back. Juanfran and Ansaldi both find room in wide areas moments later, but neither can find a telling cross into the box. Good pressure from the hosts.
BOOKING! Gimenez is booked for blocking the run of Sidnei.
BOOKING Insua now goes into the book for a pull on Griezmann.
Koke has not really been at his usual level from free kicks this afternoon, with another cross delivered straight into the arms of the Depor goalkeeper. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining and the visitors can be pretty pleased with their performance in Madrid thus far.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Deportivo (Saul)
Atletico finally make the breakthrough and it is from another set piece. Mandzukic meets a Koke free kick at the near post and Saul is on hand to glance home at the far stick. What a time to score!
Depor just need to be careful here as the home side continue to press in the latter stages of the half. It is a big blow to the away side's chances in this match. They just had to hold out until the break.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a Saul effort late in the half. The home side rattled the post through Mandzukic in the early moments and have been the better team without really threatening to put the game out of sight.
STATS! The home side have just shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had two attempts - just one of which has been on target. Depor, however, have not yet managed a shot on target. There have also been four bookings in what has been a feisty first period.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Garcia, Cerci, Rodriguez and Jimenez all available. Depor, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Cuenca, Dominguez and Toche. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. As it stands, Atletico are moving into second spot in the table. The home side get the second period underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of events. You just get the feeling that Depor need to score the next goal if they are to have any hopes in this match. It would be almost impossible to come from 2-0 behind against Atletico in this particular stadium.
End-to-end football in the early stages of the second period, with the away side threatening in wide areas. Atletico have just struggled to find their passing since the interval, with Mandzukic untidy in possession of the ball. No real chances to speak of in the opening five minutes of the second half.
Turan threatens for the home side after finding space in a wide position, but his whipped cross lands on the top of the net and Fabricio restarts the play with a goal kick.
Depor threaten down the right as Rodriguez shows excellent feet before sliding a pass into Laure, but the Spaniard's cross is straight out for a goal kick. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with the home side struggling to find their tempo in the final third of the field.
Half-chance for the home side as Saul finds space outside the box before aiming for the top corner, but his effort is deflected high of the crossbar. The resulting corner will be delivered by Koke...
... GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Deportivo (Diakite OG)
Atletico have their second of the match as Diakite turns into his own net following a powerful Koke effort. The goal came from yet another set piece - just incredible from the Spanish champions.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Jimenez replaces Mandzukic.
It seems that Turan is still claiming that second goal, but it did clearly deflect off Diakite. The home side are in full flow at the moment, with Jimenez immediately involved in the final third. You have to fear for Deportivo in this position with still more than 30 minutes of football remaining.
Possession football from the home side with 62 minutes on the clock, but Depor are still dangerous in the final third and one goal for the visitors would put a different complexion on the match.
Half-chance for Saul as Turan drives into the box before delivering towards the head of the first goal-scorer, but the Spaniard's effort is straight into the arms of the Deportivo goalkeeper.
SUB! Depor make their second change as Cuenca replaces Medunjanin.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Rodriguez replaces Saul.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the changes from both teams just harming the tempo of the match. In truth, the home side are very comfortable at the moment.
Both managers have one permitted change remaining and it would not be a surprise to see those occur in the next five minutes or so. Depor are doing their best to force the issue in the final third, but they are finding it difficult to break past Godin and the equally impressive youngster Gimenez.
Jimenez has a half-chance after finding space outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. The Mexican international has been bright since entering for Mandzukic.
Cuenca attempts to force the issue for the away side after finding some space in a wide position, but Ansaldi comes across to clear at the vital moment. Good defending from the left-back.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Cerci replaces Griezmann.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Koke delivers another free kick into the Depor box, but Fabricio just does enough to claim ahead of Jimenez, who was waiting to pounce.
SUB! Depor make their third change as Toche replaces Cavaleiro.
Atletico have just put their foot on the gas in the last couple of moments, with Cerci coming close to claiming a third, but his long-range effort is deflected into the arms of the Depor goalkeeper.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Rodriguez to register a third for the home side, but his low effort from just inside the box moves wide of the post.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the match almost fizzling out, which is no surprise at this stage. Atletico have just proved too strong for Depor in Madrid.
Depor's first attempt on goal comes from Sidnei, but the centre-back's effort is straight at Moya. Sidnei has certainly looked dangerous for the visitors in the final third of the field.
Decent end to the match from the visitors, with two corners in quick succession causing concern inside the Atletico box. However, the danger is cleared on both occasions as the score remains 2-0.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the Calderon.
Godin is penalised for a foul on Postiga in stoppage time, but the resulting free kick comes to nothing.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. Atletico move into second spot in La Liga with a 2-0 win over Deportivo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Madrid. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
