Atletico Madrid travelled to Real Mallorca on Sunday looking to keep within touching distance of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table.
A drab opening period brought few chances for either side, with a Diego Costa effort the only strike on target in the first 45 minutes.
Chances remained at a premium in the second period, but a late strike from Raul Garcia handed Atletico the lead.
There was to be drama in the final moments, however, when Kevin Garcia found the back of the net to secure a point for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from Mallorca as the home side welcome a strong Atletico side to the Iberostar. Mallorca were victorious last time out against Betis, but had lost the past three matches in all competitions. Meanwhile, Atletico picked up a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in their final match before the winter break.
Despite the fact that Atletico have enjoyed an impressive season thus far, their performances against the big two in Spain were disappointing. They were well beaten away to Real Madrid despite the closeness of the 2-0 scoreline, before they were thumped 4-1 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp on December 16.
Looking at Mallorca’s recent form, in the three matches before their win over Betis, they conceded 10 goals and scored none. The fact they were beaten 5-0 at home by a struggling Sevilla outfit in the Copa del Rey will have rung alarm bells. However, due to the closeness at the bottom of the table, three points this evening could move them four points clear of the drop zone.
TEAMS:
MALLORCA: Aouate; Nunes, Geromel, Bigas, Marquez; Pina, Pereira, Arizmendi, Giovani; Nsue, Hemed
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Luis, Diaz, Godin; Tiago, Gabi, Garcia, Koke, Adrian; Costa
So there we have it. No Radamel Falcao for the away side this evening, he is suspended along with Turan. Mallorca, however, have all their big hitters available. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I am backing a draw this evening. Atletico get the action underway.
Bright start from the home side with Pina collecting possession before attempting to find the run of Dos Santos, but Diaz comes across to make the clearance. It will be interesting to see how Atletico fare without Falcao and Turan this evening. They will rely on the Brazilian Costa, who has just two league goals this season.
Neither side has really settled in the opening stages of this match. Both have had decent pressure in the opposition's half, but it has been high tempo football rather than considered passing thus far. You just get the feeling that the opening goal - if there indeed is one - could have a huge say on the final result.
Again it's good pressure from the home side as Nsue attempts to glide past Juanfran down the right, but the experienced defender comes across to usher the ball to safety. Plenty to suggest that we will have goals in this match. Mallorca have seen the Atletico teamsheet and really fancy it.
Decent pressure from Atletico in the last couple of moments with Gabi and Tiago seeing plenty of the ball. The away side force a corner from Bigas, but the delivery from Koke is poor and Aouate comes to collect. Really open eight minutes of football in Mallorca.
Again the away side comes close as Koke attempts to find the run of Raul Garcia, but the midfielder just cannot collect and Aouate comes out to make the clearance. There is no question that Atletico are now the side in the ascendancy after a bright start from Mallorca. However, we still await the game's first real chance.
Atletico continue to pass and probe in the Mallorca half with Costa attempting to find pockets of space in the back four, but thus far the home side have defended well. A half-chance comes down the other end as Pina fires a high cross into the box, but Diaz is on hand to head clear.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few moments. Atletico continue to dominate the possession, but are still struggling to find room behind the home side's back four. A half-chance does arrive as Garcia whips a low cross into the box, but Bigas thumps the ball clear.
Nothing much from Hemed in the Mallorca final third thus far as he remains ever so isolated in the attack. They have managed to find their top scorer on a number of occasions in the past few moments, but he has quickly been surrounded. Atletico force a free kick down the other end moments later, but the danger is cleared.
Again it's good work from the away side as Gabi advances down the left before whipping a low cross into the penalty area, but once more Bigas clears the danger. The resulting corner is taken by Gabi, but the delivery is poor and Pina is on hand to make the clearance.
Slightly better from the home side in the last couple of moments with Giovani and Hemed combining in the final third, but the pass from the latter cannot find Nsue down the right. A free kick arrives for Mallorca moments later, but the delivery from Giovani fails to beat the first defender.
Half-chance for Atletico this time as Costa is felled outside the penalty area by Arizmendi. The free kick is taken by Gabi, it causes all sorts of problems in the box, but eventually the danger is scrambled clear. Costa has a long-range strike moments later, but it moves over the crossbar.
Best moment of the match from Adrian as the Spanish winger darts past two challenges before whipping a cross into the penalty area, but once more Bigas heads clear. I sound like a broken record at the moment. But both defences have certainly been on top in the opening 24 minutes of football.
Nothing much to get excited about for the home side as we approach the 30-minute mark. Giovani remains the craftsman as he attempts to find Hemed in the penalty area, but thus far the Atletico defence has been ever so impressive. We are still waiting for the first real chance of the evening.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Garcia strikes a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area, but it was always moving high of the target. That has pretty much summed up the events thus far. The pitch is in good condition this evening, but neither side's passing has been as sharp as it should be.
Atletico continue to dominate proceedings as the half approaches its latter stages. But their lack of a goal-threat without Falcao is their for all to see. Costa is nice and tidy in possession, but he is not Falcao. In terms of Mallorca, they have offered nothing in attack to suggest that they will open the scoring.
Still both teams struggle for invention. Adrian attempts to ignite the away side as he collects possession before driving down the left, but it breaks down. Pereira has a similar situation down the other end, but his cross into the box was too long for Hemed.
Hemed continues to feed off scraps as he attempts to collect possession from Pina, but once more he is surrounded by two defenders. If you offered a point to Mallorca at this stage then they would surely take it, but there is something more on offer here. Atletico are certainly weakened by the absence of Turan and Falcao.
Strange decision from the referee as Costa is chopped down outside the penalty area by Nunes, but the official does not award the away side a free kick. That is one of the most obvious decisions I have seen all season. Even the referee is having a shocker of a first half. Shockers all round here.
The home side's defence continues to remain nice and compact with Atletico's attacks breaking down on each occasion. However, Mallorca have offered nothing in the final third. We have little over five minutes of the half remaining and we still await the first real chance of the match.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match by some distance as Costa combines with Koke before advancing on goal, but his low effort is pushed away by Aouate. That's a really good save from the Argentine goalkeeper. The resulting corner is also met by Costa, but he heads wide.
First sign of real quality from Giovani as he advances down the left before whipping a wonderful cross into the penalty area, but Luis is on hand to turn the ball behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by the Mexican, but Tiago stoops to head clear.
Half-chance for the home side on the stroke of the interval as Pina puts a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Courtois just does enough to turn it away from the penalty area. I shouldn't think that there will be too much added time at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Real Mallorca 0-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. The referee blows his whistle as the first period is brought to an end. Hardly a classic 45 minutes of football, but it has been very competitive. Let's hope for more goal action in the second period.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Atletico have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have managed four shots to Mallorca's one. The match has only produced one effort on target thus far, with Costa testing the home side's goalkeeper late in the half.
Just a reminder that Barcelona and Real Madrid both picked up victories this afternoon. As it stands Atletico are 11 points behind Barcelona, but five points ahead of Madrid. Meanwhile, Mallorca would remain in 16th position, just two points clear of the bottom three.
In terms of the second period. Atletico certainly look the side more likely to open the scoring. They don't have too much on the bench in terms of attacking options, but Cristian Rodriguez could be introduced. Mallorca have struggled for any sort of invention and could look to Kevin in the second 45.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either team at the interval. Let's hope for more goal-mouth action in the second 45 minutes. I am sticking with my pre-match prediction of a draw. We could well be heading for a 0-0 here. Mallorca get the action underway.
Atletico start the second period in confident fashion with Gabi combining with Tiago before firing a cross into the penalty area, but Bigas clears the danger. Giovani attempts to launch an attack down the other end, but his mazy run is ended by a diving challenge from Juanfran.
Half-chance for the home side as Arizmendi strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it just moves wide of the post. Atletico advance down the other end and Luis strikes a powerful effort, but Aouate gets down low to make a fine save. Lively opening five minutes to the half.
Another half-chance falls to Atletico as Costa fires a high cross into the penalty area, but Aouate comes a long way to gather the danger. Still no real sign that either side is ready to open the scoring, but slight openings are starting to appear. Let's hope that continues as the half advances.
Oh no no no. Raul Garcia is a lucky boy here. He was booked in the opening period and perhaps should have been given his marching orders for a late challenge on Giovani, but the referee shakes his head. Slightly untidy period to the match as both sides give away a host of free kicks.
CROSSBAR! Atletico come within a whisker of taking the lead as Garcia meets a corner at the near post, but his header thumps against the crossbar. The away side should really be in the lead. Is there a goal coming?
Mallorca advance down the other end with Pina, but his run is cut short by some fine defending from Diaz. The Argentine has been impressive this evening. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and we still await the first goal.
Not too much for the crowd to get their teeth into at the moment. Meanwhile, no sign that either manager is preparing a change which is strange for this period of the match. A point would be a decent result for Mallorca, but Atletico really need to take all three points to keep a healthy lead ahead of third-placed Real Madrid.
Atletico continue to threaten with a couple of crosses into the penalty area. The latest comes from Luis as the defender drives into the box before squaring towards Costa, but Pina comes across to clear the danger. The away side are getting closer here as they force two corners in quick succession.
Half-chance for the home side down the other end as Bigas fires a low cross into the penalty area, but his delivery is poor and Courtois comes out to collect with ease. Atletico launch an attack of their own, but once more the final pass is just too long. End-to-end football with 64 minutes on the clock.
The first change of the match is made by the home side as Pereira is replaced by Kevin Garcia. Meanwhile, Atletico respond with a change of their own as Rodriguez replaces Adrian. It has been another disappointing evening for the Spaniard, although he continues to be played out of his favoured position.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and we still await the first goal of the match. However, you get the feeling that there will be some sort of late drama. I think it would be safe to say that one goal wins this match. Atletico are currently on the attack with Luis in possession.
Decent football from the home side in the last couple of moments with Giovani and Nsue involved in the final third. The Spaniard finds Giovani in the box, but the former Tottenham winger just cannot sort out his feet in time and Courtois comes out to collect.
Another half-chance comes to Atletico as Koke strikes a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but Aouate moves his feet to clear the danger for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Gabi, but Thiago just could not make proper contact and Mallorca break with possession.
GOAL! Mallorca 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Garcia)
What a huge goal in the context of this match. It's wonderful work from Costa as the Brazilian dances into the box before firing a low strike at Aouate, the goalkeeper makes the save, but drops it at the feet of Garcia who taps home from close range.
Change for the home side with Arizmendi being replaced by Ximo for the final 15 minutes of this match. Slight bit of controversy during the goal as Kevin was on the ground with an injury, but Mallorca did not play to the whistle and it has cost them dearly. Can they respond?
It's powerful work from Costa as the Brazilian pounces on a loose ball before driving into the box, but Bigas comes across to make a fine challenge. Mallorca advance down the other end as Giovani finds Marquez, but the latter's cross is headed clear by Diaz.
Costa continues his work in the final third as he wins a free kick for his side just outside the Mallorca penalty area, with Nunes gaining a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting free kick is taken by Gabi, but his cross towards Godin sees the defender in an offside position.
Again it's good work from Costa as he continues to win free kicks for his team in the final third. There has not been much of a response from Mallorca in terms of attacking intent. Meanwhile, the home side make their third change of the evening as Alvaro replaces Nsue.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and Atletico continue to lead by the single goal. The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both teams giving away a host of free kicks. Nothing to suggest that Mallorca will level the scores here.
More precious seconds are wasted as Gabi whips a dangerous free kick into the Mallorca penalty area, with Bigas only able to turn behind his own goal. The home side eventually regain possession with Giovani, but the final pass continues to elude the Mexican and his struggling team.
Again the final delivery is poor from Mallorca as Pina attempts to find the head of Hemed in the Atletico box, but once more Diaz rises high to clear the danger. Little under three minutes of normal time remaining. Will we have late drama here?
GOAL! Mallorca 1-1 Atletico Madrid (Kevin)
Wow! Who saw that coming? First bit of real quality from the home side as they work the ball wide to Kevin Garcia and the attacker puts his foot right through the ball to thump his effort into the top corner.
More trouble for the officials here as both sets of players clash on the sidelines. This is schoolboy stuff here. Really is a bad-tempered end to the game with coaching staff from each side also entering the field of play. That is never a good sign.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of football at the end of the match. Mallorca have a free kick just outside the Atletico penalty area as Diaz fells Giovani.
POST! The resulting free kick is taken by Giovani, but the Mexican's effort curls past the goalkeeper before smashing against the post. That was a wonderful effort from the former Spurs winger. What a finish to this match.
Mallorca remain the side in the ascendancy as they throw long balls into the penalty area, but Atletico hang on to clear the danger on each occasion. Little under 30 seconds of football remaining and Atletico have a free kick in the Mallorca half.
FULL-TIME: Real Mallorca 1-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Mallorca leave it late to gain a welcome point against Atletico. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
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