Atletico Madrid travelled to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday knowing that three points against Getafe would have moved them to within one point of second-placed Real Madrid.
Neither side could open the scoring in the first period, with free kick and offside decisions dominating the opening 45 minutes of action.
Atletico looked the more likely to score the winner in the latter stages, but neither could make the breakthrough as the points were shared in a goalless draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga live commentary of the weekend comes from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome Atletico to the Alfonso Perez. The home side have won three of their last five matches in the league to move into European contention, while Atletico have just stalled in the race for second position.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have enjoyed the better of it with three wins from the last five matches, losing once and drawing once in the process. As mentioned, the reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 2-0 win for Atletico, while Diego Simeone’s side also knocked Getafe out of the Copa del Rey in January.
Getafe will be able to call upon a strong home record this evening have won eight of their 14 matches, losing just three times in the process. Meanwhile, five of Atletico’s six league defeats this season have come on their travels. The result this evening will have a huge bearing on the race for the Europa League and indeed the race for second.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Codina; Valera, Lopo, Alexis, Fernandez; Borja, Leon, Castro, Torres; Barrada, Adrian
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Adrian, Falcao, Costa
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Getafe team with Adrian Colunga and Diego Castro both paired in attack, but there is no place for Alvaro, who starts on the bench. Atletico, meanwhile, replace Arda Turan with Adrian Lopez. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Madrid.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that Atletico need to pick up all the points if they are to catch Real Madrid in second possession. Early half-chance for the away side as Costa strikes an effort from close range, but it just moves wide of the post.
Costa is again involved for the away side moments later as he drives down the left before feeding a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Falcao, who had made a late run towards the far post. Getafe attempt to break down the other end with Barrada, but he is quelled by a fine challenge from Juanfran.
The pressure remains from the away side as Adrian Lopez drives down the left before firing a low cross into the box, but Lopo is across to clear the danger. Costa is involved down the other side moments later, but his cross is too short for Falcao. One-way traffic in the opening six minutes in Madrid.
Again it's good work from Falcao as the powerful striker rises highest in the penalty area, but his header is deflected over the crossbar by Alexis. The resulting corner causes all sorts of problems in the box as Falcao and Costa both rise in the box, but neither can make clear contact, allowing Diego Castro to carry possession down the other end.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the opening 10 minutes with the likes of Adrian and Barrada struggling for possession. A half-chance does arrive for Leon as the midfielder strikes an effort from close range, but it was always moving wide of the post.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Alexis as the defender barges into the back of Costa. The Brazilian gives out his fair share of rough treatment, but he is certainly on the receiving end as well. Castro is again involved for the home side as he combines with Borja before striking towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the post.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a host of poor challenges in the opposing half. Meanwhile, neither team has been too careful in possession thus far. It is the type of match that needs a goal in order to settle proceedings. The opening 14 minutes of football has just flown by.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Castro collects possession in the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Godin is on hand to make the block. Atletico launch an attack of their own down the other end, but Valera is across to quell Adrian, whose shot looked destined for the bottom corner.
Slight problem for Barrada as the Getafe attacker is caught in a challenge with Koke, but it does appear that he will be fit to continue. The Atletico pressure continues as Koke whips a dangerous corner into the box, but Codina comes through a host of bodies to claim under pressure from Falcao.
Each time the referee awards a free kick, it is met by dismay from the offenders. Leon is the latest player to be on the receiving end of a challenge from Mario Suarez, but the official does not award a booking. It is exactly the type of match that could see a red card in the second period.
The home side are forced into a change as the injured Leon is replaced by Angel Lafita. Meanwhile, Barrada is still struggling on the sidelines. Not the best of starts for Getafe. The latest free kick allows Koke another chance to fire a cross into the box, but once more the danger is cleared. Atletico have taken control with 22 minutes on the clock.
The referee is once more called into action to deal with a challenge by Gabi, although there was not a great deal in it. Unfortunately, the tempo of the match is not being allowed to develop as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. We await the opening goal with 24 minutes on the clock.
Costa is again involved for the home side as he collects possession in his own half before driving to the edge of the Getafe box, but Fernandez is on hand to clear at the vital moment. A free kick down the other end allows Adrian the chance to fire a cross into the box, but the ever-impressive Godin rises highest to clear. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
The threat from the away side has just diminished in the last couple of moments, although they are in control of the possession. Another corner follows after good work from Koke, but once more Lopo is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Alfonso Perez.
You can cut the tension with a knife inside the stadium as Costa is once more involved in a challenge with Lopo. It is so important that the referee gets a grip of things, or we could have a red card in this first half. The latest free kick allows Barrada to find Adrian in the box, but the Spaniard can only turn and fire his effort wide of the post.
Another half-chance for the away side as Barrada whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but once more Miranda is on hand to clear the danger. Atletico threaten on the counter Adrian drives down the left before firing a low cross towards Falcao, but the Colombian can only turn wide of the target under pressure from two defenders.
The stadium has certainly filled as this match has developed, with the crowd playing a major part in this first period. However, the referee has thus far been able to keep a lid on proceedings. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, while we still await the opening goal.
Half-chance for Falcao this time as the Colombian meets a cross from Costa, but the offside flag had been raised. That has been largely the story of the first period thus far. Offside decisions, free kicks and poor passing, which is strange for a match between two of the best sides in the division this season.
A mix-up in the Getafe box allows Adrian Lopez the chance to gather possession on the edge of the box, the Spaniard finds Luis on the over-lap, but his cross is straight out of play. It has not been the most entertaining half of football that you will ever see thus far. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
The sloppy period of the match continues as both sides dive into reckless challenges in the opposing half. The latest free kick allows Koke the chance to fire a cross into the Getafe box, but Falcao can only head into the arms of Codina, who was comfortable in gathering the danger. That is just about as close as he has come in this half.
Good possession from the away side in the last couple of moments with Gabi and Suarez enjoying plenty of the ball in the middle third of the pitch, but they just cannot find that elusive pass towards Falcao. The Colombian is involved moments later, but he gives away a foul for a tug on Alexis.
Luis is involved down the left moments later as he combines with Miranda before driving a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for a red and white shirt. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the first period and we are indeed into the first of those.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the scores level at 0-0. In truth, chances have been few and far between thus far. However, if it were a boxing match, then Atletico would just about be winning on points.
STATISTICS: The away side have had more of the ball with 59%, but they have managed just three attempts to Getafe's four. Both sides have tested the opposing goalkeeper on two separate occasions, but neither has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of the match.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of options on the bench in the shape of Lacen, Alvaro and Paco Alcacer. Meanwhile, Atletico have the likes of Raul Garcia, Christian Rodriguez and Oliver Torres in reserve. I suspect that we will see some changes in the early stages of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. As it stands, Atletico would remain in second position, while Getafe would sit ninth. Right, the home side get the second period underway.
Just a reminder that Getafe have not conceded in their last four matches, which is an indication of the task facing the away side this evening. An early half-chance falls to Falcao as the striker thumps an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that the first goal will be all-important this evening.
It's good work from Costa as the striker collects possession from Koke before winning a corner from Lopo. The resulting set piece is fired into the box by Koke, but Borja stoops low to clear the danger. The quality of Koke's delivery has been poor this evening. I suspect that Gabi could be on corner duty next time.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Barrada collects a loose ball in the penalty area before striking an effort from close range, but Courtois gets down low to make the save. Falcao is involved down the other end moments later, but he is quelled by Codina before Luis fires straight at the goalkeeper moments later.
Falcao is involved once more as he drives past two challenges before striking towards goal, but the referee brings back play for a foul on the Colombian. Gabi stands over the free kick outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Still no sign of the opening goal with 54 minutes on the clock.
Suarez becomes the first Atletico player to enter the referee's book for a challenge on Xavi Torres. The resulting free kick is put into the area by Castro, but Courtois rises to palm clear under pressure from Adrian. Falcao is involved down the other end moments later, but his effort is deflected wide of the post.
The free kick count continues to rise as Koke launches another set piece into the Getafe box, but Codina comes through a host of players to claim. The home side immediately launch a counter attack, but the final pass is just short of the usual quality. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
The free kick count continues to rise as Koke launches another set piece into the Getafe box, but Codina comes through a host of players to claim. The home side immediately launch a counter attack, but the final pass is just short of the usual quality. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Another half-chance for Falcao as the Colombian turns in the box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but Codina gets down low to make a fine save. The resulting corner also causes problems in the box, but Lopo clears before Adrian embarks on a counter attack down the other end.
Atletico make their first change of the match as Koke is replaced by Oliver Torres, who is a Spanish youth international. The youngster is immediately involved as he collects possession outside the box before combining with Costa, but once more the Brazilian's touch is just too powerful and it moves out of play.
One-way traffic at the moment as the away side continue to dominate possession outside the box, but they just cannot find that elusive final ball. A half-chance comes down the other end as Lafita meets a cross from Castro, but he can only head wide of the post from close range.
Another half-chance for the away side as Gabi strikes an effort from distance, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. It almost has that pre-season feel, rather than a derby clash with so much at stake. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
The home side want a penalty as Colunga is felled, seemingly in the box, but the referee decides to award a free kick. Replays have suggested that the challenge from Godin was indeed just outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Barrada, but he just curls his effort wide of the post.
The chances are just starting to fall as we enter the final 20 minutes, but you just get the feeling that it is going to take something special for the scoring to be opened. Falcao is involved down the other end as he floats a high cross into the box, but Codina is out to claim at the vital moment.
RED CARD! There is a real edge to this match as the legs start to tire and the challenges continue to fly in. Suarez does indeed receive his marching orders for a second yellow card. It had been coming. Atletico will have to play the remainder of this match with 10 men.
Meanwhile, Atletico make another change as Adrian is replaced by Rodriguez. It has been a really poor season for the former, who could leave the club at the end of the campaign. Lafita wants a free kick down the other end moments later, but the referee is not interested in awarding the decision.
Getafe make a change of their own as Torres is replaced by Paco Alcacer. Positive change from Luis Garcia as we approach the final 10 minutes of this match. Costa attempts to force the issue down the other end as he battles for possession with Alexis, but once more the referee awards a free kick.
That proves to be Costa's last involvement as the striker is replaced by Raul Garcia. It appears that Diego Simeone will settle for a point in the latter stages of this match. Half-chance for Rodriguez moments later, but Lopo just manages to block the midfielder's effort.
Shoot is the cry from the home supporters as Adrian collects possession outside the box. The Spaniard does indeed oblige, but it was always rising over the crossbar. Meanwhile, the referee continues to be involved as the challenges fly in from both sides. It has been a real bitty match this evening. Not the most entertaining of fixtures.
Lafita is twice involved for the home side as he tests Courtois with a header from close range, before firing the rebound over the crossbar. He has been arguably Getafe's best player since entering the field in the first period. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining at the Alfonso Perez.
In truth, a point apiece is not the worst result in the world, but Atletico continue to lose ground on Real Madrid. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Castro thumps one from outside the box, but Courtois is down to make the save. Will we have late drama here?
Falcao wants a penalty as he is bundled over in the penalty area by Fernandez, but the referee is simply not interested. Final throw of the dice for the home side as Alvaro replaces Colunga. Torres is involved for the away side moments later, but he is quelled at the final moment by Fernandez.
Rodriguez continues to look bright for the away side as he crafts his way into the box, but his strike was always moving wide of the post. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time and we are indeed into the second of those.
RED CARD! Atletico are reduced to nine men as Godin is handed his marching orders for a foul on Alvaro outside the box. Can the away side hold on in the final moments of this match?
FULL-TIME: Getafe 0-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Neither side can make the breakthrough as the points are shared in a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Valencia against Valladolid. Until then!
