Saturday's early start in La Liga pitted Elche against the Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
The visitors led 1-0 at the interval following a stunning effort from young centre-back Jose Gimenez.
Atletico had their second after 53 minutes when Mario Mandzukic found the bottom corner, with the three points enough to move the champions into second spot in the table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as Elche welcome the champions Atletico Madrid. Right, before we get down to the details ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
ELCHE: Tyton; Damian, Roco, Lomban, Cisma; Fajr, Mosquera, Pasalic; Victor, Coro, Jonathas
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Siqueira; Tiago, Gabi, Koke; Turan, Mandzukic, Garcia
So there we have it. The home side will seemingly line up in a 4-3-3 formation this afternoon, with Victor Rodriguez and Coro providing support to Brazilian forward Jonathas. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic also starts, while there is a spot in midfield for the highly-rated Faycal Fajr.
Atletico, meanwhile, are still without the injured Miranda, meaning that Jose Gimenez starts at centre-back alongside Uruguay teammate Diego Godin. There is also a start for Raul Garcia, with Antoine Griezmann dropping to the bench. As expected, Mario Mandzukic leads the line for the champions.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for the home side. In fact, Elche have only won one of their last 11 top-flight meetings with Atletico – losing nine times in the process. The corresponding match last season ended in a 2-0 away win in November.
In truth, it has been a struggle for Elche this season. They have taken just 10 points from their 13 matches, with that total leaving them in 19th position in the table. They have managed just two wins, but due to the proximity at the bottom of the table, they are level on points with 17th-place Almeria.
Elche's home form has been a slight worry this season, with just one win from their six matches, while they have scored just five times in the process. Should Cordoba win this weekend and Elche suffer defeat, then they could find themselves bottom of the division after 14 games of the season.
Atletico, meanwhile, are on a run of four straight wins in all competitions. The capital outfit have taken 29 points from their 13 matches this season, with that total leaving them in third position in the table. Victory this afternoon would move them temporarily above Barcelona into second position.
That said, Atletico's away form this season has been a little shaky. They have won six of their seven at home, but lost two of their six on the road, with defeats to Valencia and Real Sociedad leaving them trailing the leaders Real Madrid. That said, they are still very much in the title hunt as it stands.
PREDICTION! I have a feeling that this could be a little tricky for Atletico. Elche are not in the best form, but they do raise their game for the bigger sides. That said, I am expecting the visitors to take all three points back to the capital. Let's go 2-1 to the Spanish champions here.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a strong atmosphere as the home side get the La Liga action underway.
As expected, it has been a fast start to the match, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Mandzukic and Suarez is one to watch as the pair clash following a low cross from Turan, which goes straight behind for a goal kick. The home side are down the other end with Coro moments later, but the Spaniard is just crowded out before winning a corner. End-to-end football with four minutes played.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the opening six minutes, but there is plenty happening, with the full-bloodied nature of the early moments continuing. Turan has been the main outlet for Atletico thus far, but the Turkish international has been unable to find a telling cross thus far.
Jonathas and Coro are the most advanced of the Elche attackers at the moment, but the likes of Pasalic and Mosquera have been unable to thread a pass thus far. The match continues to flow from end-to-end, with Mandzukic and Suarez continuing their running battle in the final third of the field.
Just a reminder that three points for Atletico would see the champions move above Barcelona and into second position in the table. Victory for Elche, meanwhile, would move them out of the relegation zone. It remains an even contest, with both sides guilty of relinquishing possession too easily in the final third.
It is all a little frantic at the moment, with neither side showing quality in the final third. The pace is quite incredible as the play continues to flow from end-to-end, but neither has been able to create a clear chance, while late challenges have forced the referee to stop play on a number of occasions.
The offside flag has not been kind to Atletico thus far, with Turan the latest to be found in an offside position. Still we wait for the first meaningful attempt... surely the match will soon settle from this frantic pace.
Atletico have just started to force the issue in the final third, with Siqueira delivering a dangerous cross from the left, but Lomban is across to make the clearance. The resulting corner is taken by Koke, but it is played short and the danger is cleared. Not the best from the champions thus far.
GOAL! Elche 0-1 Atletico (Gimenez)
Good grief what a goal! Gimenez, who is only in the team due to an injury to Miranda, sends Atletico into the lead with a rasping effort into the top corner. The ball fell to the centre-back inside the area and he rattled one into the corner of the net. That is some way to score your first senior goal!
Elche just need to be a little careful in the next five minutes - they are attempting to force the issue with a number of attacking players, but they are leaving all sorts of space for Atletico on the counter.
Atletico are very much in control of this contest at the moment, with Elche struggling to string two passes together in the final third of the field. Turan in particular has been excellent for the visitors thus far, with the Turkish international causing all sorts of problems with his position on the right of the attack.
Still no yellow cards, but we must be getting close as Garcia dives into the back of Suarez. I suspect the next late challenge will bring a booking. The opening 24 minutes of this match have just flown past.
In fairness to Elche, they are still plugging away in the final third, but they are finding it difficult to break through this stern Atletico defence, which is being marshalled by the excellent Godin. Turan delivers a dangerous cross into the box down the other end, but Roco is on the cover to clear the danger.
We have not seen too much from Juanfran down the Atletico right, but Siqueira has been heavily-involved down the left for the Spanish champions. The visitors are in control of the possession as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but neither side has created a clear chance since the goal.
Atletico have a free kick just outside the box following a handball from Lomban...
... the resulting free kick is taken by Gabi, but his powerful effort is straight into the Elche wall.
Elche are finding it increasingly difficult to break free of their own half at the moment, with Atletico dominating the ball in the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score the next goal if they are to take something from the match - they simply cannot fall 2-0 behind.
It just has not happened for Jonathas this afternoon and the Elche forward's match is summed up when he loses control of a simple ball in the final third. Elche have a half-chance in fortunate circumstances when Fajr fires a cross towards the far post, but Moya just manages to palm clear at the vital moment.
Moya receives a period of treatment following that save, but soon returns to his feet.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and the home side have just started to cause problems to Atletico, with Coro and Victor starting to move pin Juanfran and Siqueira in defensive areas.
Fajr's delivery from set pieces has been decent this afternoon and the Elche midfielder continues to cause problems with a couple of free kicks in quick succession. Atletico are so strong aerially, however, with Godin and Gimenez both winning crucial headers. It remains 1-0 to the visitors here.
BOOKING! Jonathas goes into the book following a clash with Garcia. The Elche forward actually won the free kick, but his reaction to the challenge brought a yellow card.
Not too much from Atletico in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the home side doing the majority of the pressing. It has been an entertaining 43 minutes of Spanish football here.
Atletico have just started to turn the screw once again with Juanfran delivering a couple of dangerous crosses, but the home side manage to clear the danger. I shouldn't think that there will be too much added time at the end of the first period - not too much has happened in terms of long stoppages.
HALF-TIME: Elche 0-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a stunning finish from Gimenez after 17 minutes. In truth, it has been a half of few clear opportunities, but the champions just about deserve to lead at this stage. What will the second 45 minutes bring?
STATS! Atletico have had more of the ball with 59%, while they have had two attempts - just one of which has been on target. Elche, however, have had just one attempt off-target thus far. There has also been just the one yellow card despite some tasty challenges, with Jonathas in the notebook.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a couple of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with Herrera and Gonzalez both in reserve. Atletico, meanwhile, have the likes of Cerci, Griezmann and Jimenez on their bench. Both managers will have changes in the back of their mind.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Elche upset the champions? Or will Atletico move into second position in La Liga? The visitors get the half underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. It has been a fast start to the second period, which was also the case at the start of the match.
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Atletico will move into second position in La Liga. The leaders Real Madrid are in action later this evening, while Barcelona play tomorrow. Elche are full of running in the early stages of the second period here, with Victor and Coro combining to good effect in the final third.
Jonathas just needs to be a little careful here as the Elche forward, who has already been booked, appears to swing an arm into the face of Gimenez. That is the last thing that the home side lead. It has been mostly one-way traffic in the second period, with Elche on the front-foot and Atletico defending their box.
Elche continue to run into a brick wall outside the Atletico box, but they really are forcing the issue with 53 minutes on the clock. Atletico break down the other end with Mandzukic, but the Croatian is forced wide. Turan eventually has a shot on goal, but his effort was always straight at the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Elche 0-2 Atletico (Mandzukic)
Atletico have their second goal of the match as Mandzukic collects a through pass from Gabi before finishing into the bottom corner. It appeared that the striker had taken the ball too wide, but he found a way past Tyton at his near post. Not the best goalkeeping, but really smart finish from Mandzukic.
Well, Elche had made a really strong start to the second period, but that goal has really hurt them. Can the relegation-threatened side realistically come from 2-0 behind against the champions?
Half-chance for Jonathas as the Brazilian finds some space inside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga clash.
CHANCE! Atletico have the chance to put this game to bed as Turan drives into the box before bringing a smart save from Tyton, but Gabi just could not beat Suarez to the loose ball. It would have been a simple finish for the skipper, who set up Mandzukic with that excellent pass moments ago.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side this time as Victor curls one from outside the box, but it just bent away from the far post. Unlucky from the Spaniard.
SUB! Elche make their first change as Herrera replaces Pasalic.
Elche are really on the front foot at the moment as they continue to pepper the Atletico box, but Victor again places one wide of the post as the champions keep their clean sheet in tact. Still plenty of football to play here and Atletico are not completely out of sight despite holding a comfortable lead.
Atletico have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Turan is felled in a widow position, but Tyton comes to claim the resulting set piece from Koke. Herrera is involved down the other end for the home side, but cannot run away from Gimenez, who has again been excellent for the Spanish champions.
Possession football from Atletico over the last couple of minutes, which has just taken the sting out of Elche's play in the final third. This is typical Atletico - it has been a very professional performance here.
SUB! Elche make their second change as Fragapane replaces Coro.
Elche are really going for it at the moment with two strikers brought onto the field and their midfielders camped inside the Atletico half. However, you have to fear for the home side on the counter attack.
Atletico are preparing to make their second change of the match, with Griezmann stripped and ready for action. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the away side still lead by two goals.
Elche continue to force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession, but Suarez can only head into the arms of Moya, before Godin clears on the next attempt. One goal for the home side would set this match up for a grandstand finish, but Atletico remain a threat on the counter attack here.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Griezmann replaces Mandzukic.
You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the scoring here as half-chances continue to arrive at both ends of the field. Herrera is involved for the home side, but the striker cannot run away from Siqueira, who is across to make a vital challenge and indeed launch a counter attack for the visitors.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. However, there has still only been just one booking. Atletico are little over 10 minutes away from continuing their winning run here.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Jimenez replaces Turan.
Griezmann attempts to use his pace to break past the Elche defence, but Suarez is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. You still get the feeling that there is something in this match for the home side, but they have not created too many chances despite enjoying plenty of the possession.
Gimenez continues to mop up for Atletico as the pressure from Elche increases. The young centre-back, who opened the scoring this afternoon, has been terrific alongside Godin for the champions.
SUB! Elche make their third change as Gimenez replaces Rodriguez.
Little under five minutes of football remaining and time is just starting to run out for Elche, who have given everything this afternoon. On another day, this performance would have been enough to win.
It is all a little frantic at the moment as the home side continue to deliver high balls into the Atletico box, but it is playing into the hands or indeed heads of the away side's defence here.
BOOKING! The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and Atletico have a free kick outside the box when Roco, who is booked, fells Griezmann.
The resulting free kick is played short and Atletico are running down the clock in possession.
FULL-TIME: Elche 0-2 Atletico
So there we have it. Atletico move into second spot in La Liga with a 2-0 win over Elche. Thanks for joining Sports Mole of the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
