Atletico Madrid travelled to Espanyol on Saturday looking to keep their faltering La Liga title hopes alive.
The visitors finished a fairly uneventful first period with 10 men following a red card for centre-back Miranda, who led with an elbow in a strong challenge on Abraham.
Espanyol could not make use of the man advantage, however, as a fairly poor contest finished goalless.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action here.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome the league champions Atletico Madrid. The hosts will be keen to overcome their recent slump, but Atletico are in desperate need of the points if they are to maintain their faltering title defence.
Right, first and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Arbilla, Alvaro, Moreno, Duarte; Lopez, Abraham, Sanchez, Vazquez; Garcia, Caicedo
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Gamez; Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Garcia, Griezmann; Torres
So there we have it. Espanyol boss Sergio has shuffled his pack this afternoon, with Felipe Caicedo and Abraham among those coming into the team. Caicedo replaces Christian Stuani in attack, while Abraham is preferred to Jose Canas in midfield. The highly-rated Ruben Duarte also starts at full-back.
Atletico, meanwhile, are without the suspended Mario Mandzukic and Guilherme Siqueira, with Fernando Torres and Jesus Gamez coming into the team. Arda Turan also drops out of the XI, allowing Raul Garcia to start in a forward position. Gabi will captain the Spanish champions from midfield.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won four of the last five matches, with Espanyol also winning once. The reverse match at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season ended in a 2-0 home win, but Espanyol were 1-0 winners when Atletico made the trip to this stadium last season. In the last five meetings, only six goals have been scored. Anyone for a 0-0 stalemate here?
Espanyol won four games in a row in January, but their form since then has been a little disappointing. They have only won two of their last six in the league and were eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on March 4. They were also beaten 1-0 at Real Sociedad last weekend, with that result dropping them to 10th position in the table. They are just struggling a touch.
That said, Espanyol's home form in the league this season has been strong – winning seven of their 13 matches and losing just three times in the process. They have also only conceded 11 home league goals this term, which is in contrast to 26 on the road. Sergio's side are also only one point off eighth-place Athletic Bilbao at this stage of the season. Overall, it has been a solid campaign thus far.
Atletico, meanwhile, have dropped to fourth position in the table following Valencia's 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna on Friday evening. Diego Simeone's side are currently seven points behind the league leaders Barcelona and realistically need a faultless run if they are to retain their title. They have, however, only taken five points from their last four league matches. Victory here is a must.
Atletico's home form has not been a problem this season – winning 11 of their 14 matches and losing just once. It has been a different story on the road, however, with the capital side losing four of their 12 matches and dropping points in six of them. They have also only managed 16 goals on the road.
PREDICTION! Atletico really need to win here and I think that they will. Espanyol's performances have dropped off in recent weeks and Atletico usually find a way to win these type of games. I can see it being extremely tight for the first hour or so, but I expect Atletico will come through 2-0 winners.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Far from a full house this afternoon, but there is still a good atmosphere. It is the away side that get the first half underway.
As expected, it has been a fast-paced start in the middle of the park, with both sides battling for possession of the ball. It could be a busy afternoon for the referee, who will need to remain strong.
Decent pressure from Espanyol as they force the first corner of the match, but Godin is on hand to clear a whipped cross from Victor Sanchez. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be vital here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening five minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Neither side has really gained control of the possession thus far, which is not too surprising at this early stage. Fairly laboured start to this one in Barcelona.
Good spell for Espanyol in the last couple of minutes as Garcia races through the heart of the Atletico defence, but Miranda is across to challenge at the vital moment. Atletico have been poor away from home in recent weeks and they have not started too well here. Espanyol doing all the pressing now.
BOOKING! Alvaro (Espanyol) is booked for a really poor challenge on Torres. Atletico have a free kick in a wide position. Perhaps a little wide for a shot, but it is a dangerous position...
... Koke delivers, but Hector Moreno is on hand to clear with a towering header. Good defending.
There is a real sense of feistiness at the moment as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. The referee has let most things develop early on, however, which is further increasing the tempo.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to Atletico as Torres meets a dangerous set piece from Koke, but Casilla tips the Spaniard's flicked header over the crossbar. Excellent save!
CLOSE! Atletico continue to threaten as Koke strikes one into the ground just inside the box, but his effort just bounces wide of the post. Two good opportunities in quick succession there!
Atletico are enjoying a good spell at the moment as they continue to dominate possession in the final third. Griezmann delivers a dangerous low cross towards Torres in their latest attack, but Javi Lopez is on hand to clear the danger. Espanyol are struggling to get Garcia and Caicedo in the game here.
Garcia finds a yard of space outside the Atletico box, but his effort is high and wide.
Atletico continue to force the issue as Garcia has an effort deflected just wide from outside the box. The resulting corner is delivered by Koke, but Gabi fires straight into the arms of the waiting Casilla.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Gamez picks out the head of Garcia with a super cross, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Espanyol started on the front foot here, but Atletico are now in control of the possession and looking the more threatening. Still goalless with 20 minutes played.
Espanyol want a penalty as Garcia goes down inside the Atletico box following a mazy run, but the referee is not interested. It looked a good tackle from Tiago. Some sloppy play from Juanfran there.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico as Griezmann shows stunning pace to run away from the Espanyol defence before settling outside the box, but his low effort just fizzes wide of the post.
There have been three good opportunities here, and they have all come for the visitors.
Griezmann remains the main threat for Atletico as the Frenchman collects a pass in a wide area before attempting to whip a cross into Garcia, but Casilla is on hand to claim the high ball. Espanyol are down the other end with Garcia moments later, but the skipper is penalised for a strong challenge on Godin.
Slight lull in proceedings in the last couple of minutes, with Atletico conceding possession too easily in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Abraham meets a loose ball outside the box, but his effort was always rising. Moments before, Caicedo went down just outside the Atletico box, but the referee waved play on. Atletico have not looked too solid in defensive areas this afternoon it must be said.
Atletico keep the ball alive inside the Espanyol box following another deep free kick, but eventually the referee blows for a free kick when Godin jumps into the back of Caicedo. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes. In truth, the game is a bit nothingy at the moment.
Caicedo is still down following that clash with Godin...
... he's a tough boy, though, and eventually returns to proceedings.
It is a game of free kicks and stoppages at the moment, with the referee a little too picky, especially in the middle of the park. Atletico have just shaded it, but the score remains goalless in Barcelona.
The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment, but their team has not given them too much to shout about this afternoon. Atletico make good ground down the left, but once again the move breaks down in the final third. We are in need of some inspiration in the latter stages of the first period.
BOOKING! Victor Sanchez (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Koke.
Neither side can get anything going in the final third at the moment as the free kick count continues to rise. There have been some good moments in this first half, but the game is really struggling now.
A deep cross from Gamez causes concern inside the Espanyol box, but Casilla manages to punch clear under pressure. Griezmann finds space inside the area moments later, but the Frenchman was offside when he fired wide of the post. Can the visitors break the deadlock in the latter part of this half?
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Vasquez.
The resulting free kick is delivered but Vasquez, but Godin is on hand to clear the danger. Decent spell of possession for Espanyol in the last couple of minutes, but still no real chances for the hosts here.
The referee indicates that we will play one additional minute at the end of the half.
A nasty clash of heads between Miranda and Abraham brings a sharp stop to play here.
RED CARD! MIRANDA!
Atletico have been reduced to 10 men, with Miranda sent to the field for that high challenge on Abraham. It looked to be an elbow and was not too clever from the Brazilian defender.
SUB! Atletico are forced into a change as Gimenez replaces Torres.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Atletico
Well, the opening 45 minutes were not too eventful, but stoppage time certainly was. Atletico will play the remainder of this match with 10 men after Miranda was sent off for an elbow on Abraham. The visitors had the better chances, but have thus far been unable to make the breakthrough here.
STATS! Atletico have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had eight attempts - two of which were on target. Espanyol, however, have failed to hit the target thus far. There have also been three bookings and a red in Barcelona, which is an indication of the type of match it has been.
BENCH WATCH! Espanyol boss Sergio has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Montanes, Sevilla and Stuani among those capable of making a difference here. Atletico, meanwhile, were forced into a change late in the half as centre-back Gimenez replaced Torres, but Diego Simeone still has options in the shape of Cani, Mario Suarez and Arda Turan.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Plenty of work for Atletico to do here, that is for certain. Espanyol get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
SUB! Espanyol have made a change at the break, with Canas replacing Abraham.
You just get the feeling that Atletico need to score the first goal here if they are to claim all the points. Espanyol have a man advantage, but they have not offered too much in the final third. Not yet, anyway.
Half-chance for Espanyol as Garcia races down the right before delivering towards Caicedo, but Godin is on hand to clear the danger at the near post. The resulting corner is whipped towards the far post this time, but Atletico manage to survive. This is a serious test of Atletico's credentials now.
The referee is very picky once again as Godin appears to win a clear header inside the Espanyol box, but a foul is given against the centre-back. In truth, this game as a whole has been very, very poor.
Oh referee, referee. Please! Every slight bit of contact has been called as a foul here.
I would love to be able to say that there is something happening at the moment, but there isn't. Nothing. Zilch. Espanyol are in control of the possession, but doing absolutely nothing with it.
Griezmann is Atletico's main forward at the moment, but the Frenchman cannot do too much with high balls that are pinged from deep. Espanyol break into the final third with Garcia, but his deep cross is cleared by Gimenez. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 0-0 here.
Half-chance for the home side as Caicedo scoops one towards goal from just outside the box, but Moya is on hand to make the save before releasing Juanfran down the right. The tempo is a little better.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Vasquez.
BOOKING! Javi Lopez (Espanyol) is booked for a poor challenge on Garcia.
SUB! Espanyol make their second change of the match as Stuani replaces Caicedo.
Everyone inside the stadium is almost waiting for something to happen here.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Turan replaces Gabi.
Good period of possession for Atletico in the last couple of minutes, but they are still really struggling in the final third, with Espanyol closing the door each time they break into dangerous areas. Espanyol attempt to hit the champions on the counter attack, but Moya is out to collect the through ball.
Atletico are on the front foot at the moment as they continue to pass and probe outside the Espanyol box, but the home team have defended pretty well this afternoon. Still goalless in Barcelona here.
There has not been a single chance of note in this second period, which is an indication of the type of match it has been. Very bitty, untidy and disappointing. Will that change in the latter stages here?
It is good work from Juanfran as the Atletico right-back drives down the right before delivering towards Griezmann, but Alvaro is across to make the clearance. Still more than 15 minutes remaining here.
Espanyol just seem to have found a second wind in the last couple of minutes, with Garcia extremely busy in the middle of the park. Atletico manage to clear and attempt to break, but Griezmann brings Moreno to the ground. We are still waiting for the first real chance of note in this second period.
CHANCE! Finally a chance! Atletico come close to taking the lead here as Garcia races through on goal before attempting to place one past Casilla, but the Spaniard makes a very smart save.
BOOKING! Raul Garcia (Atletico) is booked for a poor challenge on Sergio Garcia.
SUB! Espanyol make their third and final change as Sevilla replaces Sanchez.
We are into the final 10 minutes in Barcelona and the score is still goalless. Atletico have created the better chances here, but in truth, it has been a poor game. Has either side got a goal in them late on?
SUB! Atletico make their final change as Jimenez replaces Griezmann.
This afternoon's attendance has been confirmed at little over 22,500 and the majority of those inside the stadium will be pretty pleased with the result as it stands, but there is still time for late drama.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico to break the deadlock as Turan and Jimenez both have swipes at the ball inside the Espanyol box, but somehow the danger is cleared.
Good pressure from Espanyol as they force two corners in quick succession, but Atletico manage to clear on both occasions. Arbilla delivers a cross towards the far post moments later, but it goes straight out for a goal kick. Time is starting to run out if we are to see a late winner in this one.
The referee indicates that we will play three additional minutes here.
Casilla comes to collect a deep cross from Juanfran as time continues to drift away in Barcelona.
It appears that this one will indeed finish 0-0 and in truth, it has been very, very poor.
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Atletico
Terrible game to be honest! The referee brings the match to a close, with Espanyol holding Atletico to a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
