Sevilla and Atletico Madrid continued their respective La Liga seasons with a clash at the Estadio Ramon on Sunday.
The visitors led 1-0 at the end of a spicy first period courtesy of a 35th-minute goal from Koke.
Sevilla improved in the second half, but it was Atletico that added the game's second goal in the 78th minute, when Gabi's deflected effort beat Beto.
Jackson Martinez then rounded off the scoring with his first goal for the capital side late on.
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 Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Atletico Madrid. It might be early in the season, but the importance of this match cannot be downplayed. Sevilla are now real challengers for the top four and there were just two points between these two teams in Spain's top flight last term. Here's to a good game! Be sure to remain with me for the build-up.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Carrico, Rami, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Iborra; Reyes, Banega, Vitolo; Llorente
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Gamez; Tiago, Gabi, Koke; Oliver, Torres, Griezmann
So there we have it. The big news in the Sevilla camp is that new signing Fernando Llorente, who only arrived last week, makes his debut as the lone forward. Daniel Carrico is also fit to start at centre-back, while Jose Antonio Reyes is selected in a wide position. Steven N'Zonzi, however, is still suspended, while Nicolas Pareja remains on the sidelines through injury. Big game for this man...
As for Atletico, Diego Simeone has made two changes from the team that won against Las Palmas last week. Filipe Luis, who is injured, has been replaced at left-back by James Gamez, while Fernando Torres is given the nod in attack ahead of summer signing Jackson Martinez. There is also a spot on the bench for Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who made the move from Monaco this summer.
In terms of the recent league meetings between the two teams, Atletico have, without question, had Sevilla's number. The capital outfit are unbeaten on their last four trips to this stadium in the league and they have also not lost any of their last nine league clashes with Sevilla – winning four times in the process. Indeed, the last time that Atletico lost at this stadium was back in October 2010.
That said, the Estadio Ramon has quickly become one of the most feared grounds in Spanish football. Only Barcelona managed to beat Sevilla in Seville last season and strong home form was the main reason for their top-four challenge. Ultimately, Unai Emery's side finished fifth in La Liga last term, but they were just one point off fourth-place Valencia and two off third-place Atletico.
Sevilla's disappointment at missing out on Champions League qualification via the league did not last long, however, as Emery's side made it back-to-back Europa League titles and indeed advanced straight into the group stages of Europe's premier competition. As a result, La Liga will have five representatives in the groups this season, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia also taking part.
The draw for the group stages of the Champions League took part on Thursday and it would be fair to say that Sevilla have a very tough group - probably the strongest overall. The Andalusian side have been drawn into Group D alongside Juventus, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach and they will open their campaign at home to Monchengladbach on September 15.
Atletico, meanwhile, will be pretty happy with their group. The 2013-14 finalists were drawn into Group C alongside Benfica, FC Astana and Galatasaray. No games are easy at this level of football, but Diego Simeone will fancy his team's chances of advancing from that particular section. For now though, the Champions League must wait as both teams fully concentrate on league matters.
Sevilla made a fairly underwhelming start to the new Spanish campaign as they drew 0-0 at Malaga last Friday. It is very early days in the season, but Emery will be desperate for a positive result this evening, especially with the international break coming into force after this round of fixtures. Putting three points on the board as soon as possible is always important.
Sevilla might have lost Carlos Bacca and Aleix Vidal – two key players last season – this summer, but there have been a lot of incomings, with Llorente the latest to make the move from Juventus. N'Zonzi, Iago Aspas, Adil Rami, Ciro Immobile, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Yevhen Konoplyanka are also among those that have arrived as Emery puts together a squad capable of challenging on all fronts this season.
It had been questioned whether Sevilla had the squad to challenge in La Liga and indeed the Europa League last season, but winning the latter and finishing strongly in the former is an indication of their strength in-depth. The fact that yet more quality has been added this summer has now made Sevilla capable of challenging the very best teams at both home and abroad.
Atletico, meanwhile, will also feel that their summer business has put them closer to Barcelona and Real Madrid. After surprisingly winning La Liga in the 2013-14 campaign, Atletico finished a distant third last season and it would be fair to say that last summer's transfer window was underwhelming, with departing key players not really replaced by individuals of sufficient quality.
The likes of Martinez, Stefan Savic, Luciano Vietto and Carrasco have all arrived this summer, while Luis has returned from Chelsea. Martinez made his debut in last weekend's league opener against Las Palmas, but it was Antoine Griezmann that secured all three points with a free kick in the first period.
It was a fairly underwhelming performance from Atletico truth be told and on another evening, Las Palmas could well have taken something from the match after missing some excellent chances in the second period. It is results and not performances that matter most at this stage, however, and that will again be on the agenda for Simeone this evening. Not long until kickoff now!
September is also shaping up to be a big month for Atletico. The capital outfit's first league match after the international break is at home to Barcelona and they will then travel to Galatasaray for their Champions League opener on September 15. League games against Eibar and Getafe will quickly follow, before they travel to Villarreal and host Benfica in the final week of the month.
Tonight will also see two of the finest managers in European football face off once again. Somewhat surprisingly, Emery has never got the better of Simeone in Spain's top flight, with the latter winning three of their six meetings and the further three finishing level. I suspect that both managers would be pretty happy with a share of the spoils this evening. Just about time for my prediction...
... PREDICTION! This is a very, very difficult game to call. Sevilla are excellent at home, but Atletico are more than capable of coming to the Estadio Ramon and winning. I am going to have to sit on the fence taking all things into account and back an entertaining 1-1 draw in Seville.
In case you missed yesterday's action in La Liga - Barcelona recorded a 1-0 win over Malaga at the Camp Nou, before Real Madrid put five unanswered goals past Real Betis. As a result, Barca have taken six points from an available six thus far this season, while Real have four from six.
KICK OFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the field for the first 45 minutes of action. It is Sevilla that get matters underway in front of a vibrant home support...
... as expected, Sevilla have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, but Oliver and Griezmann have pushed straight onto the home side's full-backs early on here.
SAVE! Oblak is forced into action for Atletico as a brilliant passing move from Sevilla ends with Coke trying his luck from a wide angle. Excellent football from the home side there!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this evening. Both of these teams are strong at the back and it would not be a surprise if we saw a 0-0 here. Beto saves a long-distance strike from Griezmann as Atletico register their first attempt on target.
Not too much from Atletico in the opening seven minutes, with the home side forcing the issue in the final third. The referee has also been busy following a couple of late challenges. Just a reminder that Sevilla drew their opener with Malaga last week, but Atletico beat Las Palmas 1-0.
Sevilla continue to pass and probe in the final third, but the long pass into Llorente has not worked thus far, with Godin and Gimenez both very strong in the air. Still goalless here.
Atletico work the ball into a wide position before Juanfran delivers towards Torres, but Carrico is on the stretch to clear. Better possession from the visitors, but still no opportunities thus far.
Atletico have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Krychowiak fells Griezmann...
... Griezmann goes for the top corner, but his free kick is deflected wide for a corner.
Much better from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they continue to threaten Sevilla, who have just lost their way after a strong start. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock here.
The early atmosphere has died down and that is credit to Atletico, who have managed to take control of the game. That said, the only real opportunity thus far has fallen to the hosts.
Half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann does brilliantly to find space in a wide area before picking out Tiago, but the midfielder's shot is straight at Beto, who is under a bit of pressure at the moment. Torres picks up the pieces following Beto's save, but the hosts manage to clear the danger.
BOOKINGS! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a high challenge on Torres, while Banega (Sevilla) is booked for dissent. The referee has seemingly put down a marker there!
The referee just needs to get hold of this game as late challenges continue to arrive, which brings a furious reaction from the home supporters. Atletico deliver another ball into the Sevilla box, but Beto is on hand to collect. Neither team is doing much in the final third at the moment here.
Juanfran remains Atletico's main outlet as the right-back again delivers from a wide area, but Carrico steps across in front of Torres, who has not really got into the game thus far. This game has been just as tight as expected as Griezmann curls a low shot wide of Beto's post.
Sevilla are finding it difficult to feed Llorente at the moment, with the Spanish striker very isolated in the final third of the field. Atletico, however, are pushing Griezmann close to Torres.
Not an awful lot for either manager to get excited about at the moment as both teams continue to struggle in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Estadio Ramon.
Half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann again drives down the left before finding a pass into Tiago, but the midfielder's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Decent effort from the Portuguese.
CHANCE! Sevilla suddenly burst into life as Coke delivers a super ball from the right, which Llorente almost meets. It falls for Tremoulinas at the far post, but Oblak is down to make the save!
A head injury for Godin brings a stop to play and both teams take on some water!
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Atletico (Koke)
Breakthrough! Atletico take the lead in the 35th minute as Koke sweeps home from inside the box after Griezmann had tussled with Carrico outside the area. Scrappy goal, but good finish!
That could be a massive goal in the context of this match. Atletico are, without question, one of the hardest teams to break down in European football and Sevilla now have that tough task ahead.
This is a difficult game for the referee to officiate at the moment as both sets of players continue to call for bookings every time a challenge is made. As it stands, there have been two yellow cards, both for Sevilla, in this first period. It is vital that Sevilla end this first half on the front foot.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Vitolo. This is getting very tasty as late challenges continue to arrive from both teams. Sevilla have a free kick in a dangerous area...
... Banega delivers straight over the crossbar. Poor from the Argentine.
BOOKING! Godin (Atletico) is also booked for time-wasting.
Sevilla are ending this first period on the front foot, but it does appear that Atletico will keep their lead in tact in the final moments of the half. It has been a very spicy first 45 minutes here!
Krychowiak has a low strike deflected into the arms of Oblak.
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 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 35th-minute effort from Koke, who made use of excellent work from Griezmann. Sevilla have had their moments in the final third, but Oblak has pulled off some smart saves in the Atletico goal.
STATS! Sevilla have shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had six attempts - five of which were on target. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their eight attempts. There have also been four bookings - two for either team - during what has been a tasty first half!
BENCH WATCH! Sevilla have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Gameiro, Kakuta, Konoplyanka and Krohn-Dehli all capable of making a difference. The same can also be said for Atletico, who have options in the shape of Correa, Carrasco, Martinez, Vietto and Saul Niguez. It must be said that both benches are extremely well-stocked this evening.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second period. Can Sevilla recover from that Koke strike? The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway here...
... BOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Iborra.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15, 20 minutes here.
Penalty shout for the away side as Griezmann goes down inside the Sevilla box under a challenge from Carrico, but the referee is not interested. Replays have shown that it was the right call.
Well, it has been a busy start to the second period here! It is so vital that Sevilla score the next goal in this match - Atletico are not a team that usually give up two-goal leads, that's for certain.
You can almost see a red card coming in this match as the challenges continue to arrive from all angles. Sevilla have a half-chance after some less-than-impressive Atletico defending, but Iborra cannot release a strike before the danger is cleared. Better from the home side at the moment.
It is all Sevilla at the moment as they continue to pass and probe inside the Atletico box, while Coke and Reyes have both had attempts blocked in the last 60 seconds. Atletico manage to break with Torres and eventually Koke goes for goal, but Beto is on hand to collect. Very high tempo now!
Simeone will just be a little concerned with how this half is developing as Sevilla continue to cause problems in the final third. The home side are popping the ball around very nicely at the moment.
Half-chance for Atletico on the counter as Griezmann runs away from two challenges before sliding a pass into Torres, but Carrico is across to make another super challenge. All happening here!
Neither manager has looked to their bench thus far this evening, but we are approaching that stage of the match. Sevilla have another half-chance as the ball bounces for Coke outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Oblak. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining tonight.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the scoring this evening as both teams continue to threaten. Sevilla remain on the front foot, but Atletico are such a threat on the counter attack.
It is like a war-zone inside that Atletico box at the moment as Sevilla continue to deliver from wide areas. The away side are just about holding on, but the pressure is certainly increasing here.
Llorente has a strike deflected into the arms of Oblak as Sevilla threaten once again.
Koke is currently down with cramp for Atletico...
... ATLETICO SUB! Atletico are forced into a change as Saul Niguez replaces Koke.
CLOSE! Wonderful chance for Llorente to level the scores, but the striker fires wide from close range after meeting a loose ball inside the Atletico box. What an opportunity there!
SEVILLA SUBS! Krohn-Dehli and Konoplyanka replace Reyes and Iborra.
There are players going down injured all over the park now as Carrico takes a tumble.
SEVILLA SUB! Gameiro replaces the injured Carrico.
Half-chance for Atletico this time as Torres makes use of some slack Sevilla defending, but the Spaniard's curling effort was always moving wide of the post. Another change is on its way...
... ATLETICO SUB! Carrasco replaces Oliver Torres.
Half-chance for Sevilla this time as Rami meets a deep corner from Banega, but the Argentine's effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 Atletico with 73 minutes on the clock here.
It cannot be argued that Sevilla are not going for this at the moment as the two full-backs continue to deliver crosses towards Llorente, while Gameiro is also buzzing around inside the box. You just get the feeling that there will be another big chance in the final 15 minutes of action in Seville.
Sevilla come close once again as Konoplyanka has a low strike deflected wide of the post.
BOOKING! Konoplyanka (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Carrasco.
ATLETICO SUB! Torres is replaced by Jackson Martinez.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-2 Atletico (Gabi)
Atletico have their second of the match 10 minutes from time as Gabi's deflected effort finds its way into the bottom corner. It was quick thinking from the skipper and Atletico lead by two here!
BOOKING! Juanfran (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Konoplyanka.
Half-chance for the home side this time, but Gameiro's close-range strike is deflected behind for another corner. Time is starting to run out for Sevilla and Atletico are strong on the counter.
Martinez fires one wide of the post following a quick counter from the visitors.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-3 Atletico (Martinez)
Martinez is off the mark in an Atletico shirt as the Colombian finds the top corner with a wonderful effort from outside the box. It is harsh on Sevilla, but Atletico are in dreamland here.
Half-chance for Sevilla to hit back as Banega stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort hits the top of the wall before bouncing over. Atletico are heading for a strong win tonight.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
CROSSBAR! Griezmann rattles the crossbar for Atletico as the away side come close to scoring another, before Carrasco fires wide of the post. The visitors have been sensational tonight!
Atletico are keeping hold of the possession as we play out the final minutes.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 0-3 Atletico
So there we have it. Stunning from Atletico as they make it two wins from two league matches this season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Next up - Las Palmas host Levante!
