La Liga champions Atletico Madrid welcomed in-form Real Sociedad to the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday looking to keep their slim title hopes alive.
It took just two minutes for the home side to open the scoring, with Mikel Gonzalez heading into his own net from close range, before Antoine Griezmann made it 2-0 Atletico after 10 minutes.
Sociedad improved as the match developed, but the visitors could not make the breakthrough as Atletico ran out comfortable winners.
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 Real Sociedad. The home side will be looking to keep their slim title hopes alive here, but it will not be straight-forward against a Sociedad side that are bang in form. Let's hope it is a cracker!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Oblak; Gamez, Miranda, Gimenez, Siqueira; Mario, Tiago, Koke; Griezmann, Torres, Turan
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Zaldua, Elustondo, Mikel, Yuri; Pardo, Bergara; Prieto, Zurutuza, Canales; Chory
So there we have it. Guilherme Siqueira, Miranda, Mario Suarez, Arda Turan and Fernando Torres all return to the Atletico XI this evening as Diego Simeone rings the changes. Diego Godin and Mario Mandzukic are both injured, while Juanfran misses out through suspension. Jesus Gamez will switch to right-back, allowing Siqueira to start on the left. Saul Niguez and Gabi are both on the bench here.
Sociedad, meanwhile, are without their two first-choice centre-backs Ion Ansotegi and Inigo Martinez through suspension. Mikel Gonzalez and Gorka Elustondo both come into the back four, while there are also starts for Markel Bergara, Ruben Pardo and David Zurutuza. Imanol Agirretxe drops to the bench this evening, with Chory Castro leading the line. David Moyes has also chopped and changed.
Somewhat surprisingly, Atletico have actually only won two of their last five home league games against Sociedad – losing once in the process. That said, those two victories were both by comprehensive margins (3-0 in 2011 and 4-0 in 2014). The two teams have, of course, already met this season, meanwhile, and it was Sociedad that recorded all three points at the Anoeta with a 2-1 win.
Atletico drew three successive league games last month, but have since advanced into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and recorded back-to-back wins in the league without conceding. That run of form has seen them regain third position from Valencia, but they are still some nine points behind the league leaders Barcelona and five points behind second-place Real Madrid.
Atletico have won six of their last seven home league games, however, keeping four clean sheets in the process. As a whole, their league form at the Vicente Calderon has been very strong this season – winning 12 of their 15 games and losing just once. Away from home, however, they have dropped points in seven of their 14 games, which has seen them drop off the title hunt in recent months.
Sociedad, meanwhile, are certainly looking up the table rather than down following a strong run of form. David Moyes's side have only lost one of their last eight in the league, with that run of results moving them into 10th position. They had won three successive league games entering their clash with Malaga on Saturday, but they still picked up a very respectable 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda.
As expected, the Basque outfit have been strong at home this season – winning eight of their 15 games and losing just four times. However, it has been a real struggle on the road. They did not record their first away league win of the season until earlier this month when they beat Getafe 1-0. Meanwhile, only three teams in La Liga have taken fewer points on their travels this season than Sociedad.
PREDICTION! I have a feeling that this could be a tricky game for Atletico. Sociedad are in a wonderful run of form at the moment, but the visitors are without a number of key players for a number of reasons. It might be tight for long spells, but I am backing the hosts to emerge 2-0 winners.
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 still a strong atmosphere. The hosts get the first 45 minutes underway.
It is a beautiful evening in Madrid - a slight breeze, but very warm. As expected, Atletico have started on the front foot, with Gamez already threatening and indeed winning a free kick down the right.
POST! Atletico come close to registering inside two minutes as Turan hammers one towards the bottom corner following a dangerous set piece, but his effort smashes against the post!
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Sociedad (Mikel OG)
Well, that did not take long. Atletico make the breakthrough after two minutes as Mikel Gonzalez can only head a Koke corner into his own net. Not the best start for Sociedad to this match!
Sociedad boss Moyes will have told his team to keep it tight in the opening five or 10 minutes here, but the visitors are already playing catch-up. They really cannot afford to concede a second goal.
Sociedad have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Gamez bundles Prieto to the ground...
... Pardo delivers, but Koke is on hand to clear for a corner, which is also dealt with. There have been a number of set pieces in the opening six minutes here. It is a cracking game at the moment.
It has been a decent response from Sociedad, with Canales coming close from a header, but Atletico manage to clear the danger. I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals tonight.
Half-chance for the home side as Turan hammers one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It has been an entertaining opening nine minutes here.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Sociedad (Griezmann)
Atletico have their second of the match as Griezmann pounces on a loose save from Rulli before converting from close range. The initial effort came from Koke and Rulli could only parry it into the path of Griezmann, who did not celebrate against the club that he left just last summer.
Well, Atletico have not had to do too much to move 2-0 ahead here, which is worry for the visitors. Griezmann again breaks into the Sociedad box, but Zaldua is on hand to make a crucial challenge.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to scoring a third as a Koke corner is flicked towards Griezmann by Tiago, but the Frenchman just cannot make contact. Awful defending from Sociedad there!
Is this already a damage limitation exercise for Sociedad? It is difficult to imagine them turning this one around. The visitors do force a corner following good work from Zurutuza, but Oblak clears.
Castro tries his luck for the away side after finding a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort was always finding the side netting. The opening 17 minutes of this contest have just flown past.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side are still in total control of proceedings. Siqueira delivers a low cross from the left, but Elustondo is on hand to make the clearance. Sociedad are not out of this game, they just have to score the next goal here.
Decent save from Oblak as the Atletico stopper denies a powerful effort from Prieto.
It has been a decent spell for Sociedad in the last couple of moments, with Prieto winning yet another corner. However, Atletico are so strong in the air and this time it is Fernando Torres that clears.
Canales breaks away down the left as Sociedad force another corner, but once again, the danger is cleared. The visitors are enjoying their best spell of the match at the moment, that is for certain.
Atletico have been a little untidy in possession over the last four or five minutes, which is allowing Sociedad to make their mark in the final third. That said, despite the good work from Sociedad, they have not really come close to scoring thus far. It remains 2-0 Atletico with 27 minutes played.
Gamez strikes one from just outside the Sociedad box, but Rulli makes a routine save.
There has not really been many strong challenges thus far, but Canales takes a moment to return to his feet following a collision with Miranda. The game is just drifting at the moment in the capital.
Possession football from the home side as they pass and probe in the final third, but their latest move breaks down when Griezmann attempts to slide a pass into Gamez. Still 2-0 to Atletico here.
Half-chance for the home side as Turan delivers a super cross into Torres, who makes contact with his head, but the Spaniard's effort was always moving away from goal. Sociedad break down the other end moments later and force a free kick when Miranda jumps into the back of Spaniard Zurutuza.
Sociedad again threaten as Castro works the ball into Zaldua, who delivers first time, but Siqueira is on hand to make the block. Yet another Sociedad corner comes to nothing as the home side clear.
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not that surprising. Mid-week games can be a bit like that sometimes, especially with Atletico so comfortably ahead. Pardo again tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort moves high and wide of the Atletico crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Tiago lifts an excellent cross towards Griezmann, but the Frenchman just cannot make contact and Sociedad manage to bundle behind for a corner kick.
CROSSBAR! Almost another poor moment for the Sociedad goalkeeper as he loses the flight of a Koke cross, but luckily for the visitors, the ball drops onto the top of the crossbar. Wow!
The home side have just started to force the issue once again as we enter the final moments of the first period, which has raised the supporters. Can Atletico put this game to bed before the interval?
Sociedad will feel that they are still in this game, but to be honest, they have hardly threatened in terms of chances. That said, one goal for the visitors would set things up very nicely indeed.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 2-0 courtesy of an own goal from Gonzalez and a smart finish from Griezmann. It has been a very strange first 45 minutes - Sociedad have arguably played the better football, but have struggled for invention.
STATS! Sociedad have actually just shaded the possession in Madrid with 51%, but they have only managed one attempt on target, which was a fairly routine save for Oblak. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target on three occasions - two of which have led to the goals. There has not been a single booking thus far, which is not all that surprising. There have hardly been any challenges of real note.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico boss Simeone is without Mario Mandzukic this evening, but the Argentine still has the likes of Gabi, Cani, Jimenez and Saul Niguez in reserve here. Sociedad, meanwhile, have two out-and-out strikers on their bench in the shape of Agirretxe and Finnbogason.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sociedad find a route back into this game? It will be tough! The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the break, which is a surprise. Sociedad have two strikers on their bench this evening, but Moyes is waiting it out. I suspect alterations will occur as the half advances.
Half-chance for the home side as Koke delivers a super cross towards Griezmann, but it is just too high for the Frenchman and Sociedad have a goal kick. Good start to the second half from both teams.
One goal for Sociedad at this stage of the match would make things very interesting indeed. Both managers are issuing instructions on the touchline at the moment as the half advances here.
Sociedad have the chance to threaten from a free kick as Griezmann brings Zurutuza to the ground, but the delivery from Pardo is disappointing and Gimenez is on hand to power clear of the box.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment in terms of chances, with both teams guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third of the field. Atletico remain strong from set pieces as Tiago clears another corner, before Zurutuza heads harmlessly wide of the far post.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Calderon and the home side still lead 2-0. I suspect that both managers will be considering alterations. Sociedad need more in the final third here.
CHANCE! First clear chance of the second period as Griezmann sets up Suarez inside the Sociedad box, but the midfielder's effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar.
Atletico are preparing to make their first change of the match, with Jimenez receiving his instructions. In truth, it is not a particularly good game at the moment. We are in need of some inspiration!
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Jimenez replaces Torres.
It is a surprise that Moyes has not looked to his bench in this second period. Sociedad are playing some decent football, but are really lacking a cutting edge in the final third. At the moment, Atletico are going to claim all the points in fairly routine fashion. We need a spark at this stage of the game.
Just a reminder that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in action tomorrow evening. Real will make the trip to capital rivals Rayo Vallecano, while Barca will play host to strugglers Almeria.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to scoring a third as Gamez delivers a super cross towards Jimenez, but Rulli just manages to palm clear. It falls for Siqueira, but his effort is deflected wide!
Is it going to be a third straight 2-0 La Liga win for Atletico? It is heading that way at the moment!
You just get the feeling that there might be something in this game for Sociedad as we approach the final 15 minutes. All it takes is one goal and the atmosphere inside the stadium will change here.
SUBS! Sociedad make a double change as Agirretxe and Finnbogason enter the field in place of Canales and Zurutuza. Two strikers on for the visitors. Can they make a difference?
One goal for Sociedad at this stage would set up a very interesting final 15 minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Atletico are in control of the possession. In truth, it has been a really disappointing game since the second goal went in.
Half-chance for the home side as Turan finds a yard of space outside the box before firing towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving away from goal. A third Sociedad change is imminent.
SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Granero replaces Chory.
Good pressure from Sociedad in the last couple of minutes as they deliver two crosses into the Atletico box, but the danger is cleared before the home side attempt to break down the other end.
BOOKING! Turan (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Zaldua.
Another Atletico attack breaks down as Siqueira finds himself in an offside position. Sociedad are attempting to force the issue at the moment, but they cannot find that elusive final pass.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Saul replaces Turan.
Little over two minutes of football remaining and Sociedad are desperately attempting to make their mark in the final third. However, Oblak remains largely untested in the Atletico goal here.
Free kick Sociedad in a dangerous area...
... SAVE! Granero takes the resulting set piece and his strike looks to be finding the top corner, but his effort is saved by Oblak. Wonderful goalkeeping! Atletico's clean sheet remains in tact.
Atletico have the chance to break as another Sociedad attack comes to an end in a wide position, but Mikel brings Jimenez to the ground as Atletico prepare to make their third and final change.
SUB! Griezmann is replaced by Gabi for the home side.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
Atletico have a free kick in a dangerous area as Pardo fells Jimenez...
... Gabi delivers towards Gimenez, but the centre-back is crowded out at the vital moment.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 2-0 winners against Sociedad. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
