Atletico Madrid travelled to in-form Valencia on Sunday night knowing that a win would move them to within eight points of La Liga leaders Barcelona once again.
The visitors made the breakthrough in the 24th minute through Antoine Griezmann, but Denis Cheryshev hit back four minutes later as the two teams entered the break on level terms.
Fernando Torres and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco both came off the bench to score in the second period, however, as Atletico recorded a vital win at the Mestalla.
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 Mestalla as Valencia welcome Atletico Madrid in what, on paper, is the game of the weekend in Spain's top flight. Los Che have suddenly found some form under Gary Neville, but they have a tough task tonight against a team that are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions. Let's hope for a cracking game of football!
In terms of the recent games between the two teams – Atletico have won three of their last five meetings, Valencia one, while the further clash ended in a 1-1 draw. The pair have already met at the Vicente Calderon in the league this season and it was Atletico that recorded all the points courtesy of a 2-1 victory. The corresponding match in this stadium last season, however, ended in a 3-1 Valencia win, with the hosts incredibly scoring three times in the opening 13 minutes.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Mestalla. Who have Gary Neville and Diego Simeone placed their faith in tonight? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
VAL: Alves; Cancelo, Mustafi, Santos, Siqueira; Fuego, Perez, Gomes; Cheryshev, Alcacer, Feghouli
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Lucas, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Kranevitter, Koke; Saul, Vietto, Griezmann
Valencia boss Gary Neville can recall Joao Cancelo to his XI tonight, with the right-back available after serving a one-match suspension. Jose Gaya, however, misses out through a suspension of his own, allowing on-loan Guilherme Siqueira to start against his parent club. Aymen Abedennour is still injured, however, meaning that Aderlan Santos continues at the heart of the defence. Further forward, Paco Alcacer has been chosen ahead of Alvaro Negredo, who starts on the bench for Los Che.
As for Atletico, key centre-back Diego Godin has been ruled out with gastroenteritis, meaning that there is a start for young Frenchman Lucas Hernandez alongside Jose Gimenez. Matias Kranevitter, meanwhile, replaces the suspended Augusto Fernandez in the middle of the park. Up top, it is Luciano Vietto that is selected ahead of Fernando Torres, with support from in-form Antoine Griezmann.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Valencia. I shall talk about Atletico a little bit later, but let's start with Valencia, who have found some form in recent weeks. Indeed, Los Che have taken nine points from their last four league matches and will enter this game off the back of an impressive 2-1 success at Malaga on Wednesday.
Gary Neville had to wait until February 13 to pick up his first La Liga win at home to Espanyol and that success was followed by a 2-1 victory at Granada. They were brought back down to earth last weekend with a 3-0 home defeat against Athletic Bilbao, but victory over Malaga during the week actually moved Los Che into the top half of the La Liga table for the first time in 2016.
The Europa League has also been kind to Gary Neville since he took charge, with the former Manchester United defender leading his team to a 10-0 aggregate win over Rapid Vienna in the round of 32. Los Che have been drawn against fellow Spaniards Bilbao in the next round and the first leg of that tie takes place at San Mames next Thursday. Sandwiched between the second leg is also a trip to struggling Levante in the league next weekend – busy times for Valencia at the moment!
The last few weeks have seen Gary Neville ease the pressure, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a poor season for the former Spanish champions. A total of 34 points from 27 matches has left them in ninth position in the table and they have only recorded eight league wins thus far, which is actually less than Real Sociedad and the same as out-of-form Espanyol.
A return to the Champions League, via their league position at least, is already gone, while they are eight points off the top seven as things stand. There will be a lot of focus on finishing the season strongly, however, and a good run in the Europa League coupled with a strong end to the La Liga campaign might well see Gary Neville handed a contract extension at the Mestalla.
As for Atletico, they will enter this match in second position in the table – just one point above third-place Real Madrid, who beat Celta Vigo 7-1 in Madrid yesterday. Simeone's side are also 11 points behind the leaders Barcelona, albeit with a game in hand. In truth, it seems unlikely that either Madrid club will catch Barca at this stage, but the race for second position is very much on.
Atletico, like Valencia, were also mid-week winners – beating Sociedad 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon to move onto 61 points for the season. Their record from 27 league matches reads – won 19, drawn four and lost four, while they have only conceded 11 times in Spain's top flight this season, which is a staggering statistic. In fact, the last team to score against them in the league was Eibar at the start of February.
Since then, the capital side have beaten Getafe, Real Madrid and Sociedad without conceding and also drawn 0-0 at home to Villarreal. It is just over one week since Atletico won 1-0 at the Bernabeu and Simeone will be looking for a similar away performance in this match. A 2-1 defeat at Barcelona at the end of January was a big blow, but they have gone five league games unbeaten since then.
Simeone's side also have a busy March as they prepare to welcome PSV Eindhoven for the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League. A 0-0 draw in Eindhoven has left that tie open for discussion, but Atletico will be the favourites to progress on home soil. In La Liga, meanwhile, Atletico will also face Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon before the end of the month.
There have been suggestions that Simeone could look to leave Atletico at the end of the season and head for the Premier League. If he managed to lead the capital side to another league title this season, there is every chance that he would walk away this summer. Barcelona are refusing to be caught at the moment, however, and you fancy that the Argentine wants at least one more crack at the whip!
PREDICTION! This has got a 1-1 draw written all over it. Godin's absence is a big, big blow for Atletico, but I still think that Simeone's side have enough about them to avoid defeat. I think that both managers would take a point if they were being honest and I am backing that outcome tonight.
A reminder of the two teams for tonight...
VAL: Alves; Cancelo, Mustafi, Santos, Siqueira; Fuego, Perez, Gomes; Cheryshev, Alcacer, Feghouli
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Lucas, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Kranevitter, Koke; Saul, Vietto, Griezmann
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It is the home side that get the first period underway here...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Valencia have made a bright start to proceedings as well, with the team in white taking early control of the possession. Atletico, in blue and red, will have no problems sitting deep and absorbing the pressure!
Luis looks to release Saul Niguez down the left for Atletico, but the ball just runs out for a Valencia throw. Moments later, Gomes looks to release Alcacer down the other end, but Oblak clears.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial tonight. The home supporters are in wonderful voice at the moment and Atletico will be keen to silence the crowd, that is for sure. Nothing much to report in terms of chances in the opening six minutes.
Valencia are playing on the front foot at the moment as they continue to adopt a high-pressing style, but Atletico are so used to this style and Simeone is a genius tactician. The visitors are pretty deep in the early stages, but Luis has seemingly been given licence to drive forward.
The first half-chance of the match falls to Atletico as Luis finds Koke just outside the Valencia box, but the Spanish midfielder's effort was always wide of the post. No real danger for Alves.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Gimenez meets a loose ball inside the Valencia box, but his header lacked power and was always dropping over the crossbar. Still goalless at the Mestalla.
Good pressure from Atletico in the last couple of moments as they keep the ball in and around the Valencia box, but Saul has a strike blocked and eventually Juanfran runs it behind for a goal kick.
We have not seen too much from the two centre-forwards on display tonight, with Alcacer isolated for Valencia and Vietto not having much service for Atletico in the opening 13 minutes. There are signs that Atletico are taking control, however, as they start to move higher up the park here.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to an opener as the ball bounces down to Vietto inside the Valencia box, but his effort was always too high. Should have done better from there!
Saul goes down inside the Valencia box under a challenge from Mustafi, but the referee is not interested. It was very clumsy, but Mustafi just about gets the ball. He took a risk there though!
If this were a boxing match, there is no doubt that Atletico would be ahead on points. The visitors look the more classy in possession and indeed the more dangerous in the final third. Another sharp move leads to Kranevitter having a go, before Alves tips a Griezmann effort wide of the post.
CHANCE! Super chance for Vietto as the striker has time to control the ball from a corner inside the Valencia box, but he curls his effort over the crossbar! Should do better once again.
Feghouli goes down inside the Atletico box and screams for a penalty, but Saul did play the ball and the referee agrees. Gary Neville, however, is up and screaming for a home spot kick!
SAVE! Smart goalkeeping from Oblak as the Atletico stopper gets down to keep out a low strike from Cheryshev, who scored the winner against Malaga last time out.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Atletico (Griezmann)
Atletico make the breakthrough in the 24th minute as Griezmann finds space outside the Valencia box before drilling one into the bottom corner. It is a super strike from the Frenchman!
Gary Neville has some thinking to do at the moment because his team are second-best by some distance in this match at the moment. Atletico look comfortable all over the park at the Mestalla.
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Atletico (Cheryshev)
What a way to hit back! Valencia level the scores in the 28th minute as Cheryshev fires past Oblak from close range. Alcacer's cushioned header fell into Cheryshev's path and it was a super finish from the Russian international. It has sent Gary Neville bonkers and why not!
Griezmann fires over the Valencia crossbar as the visitors look to hit back here.
Feghouli causes more concern inside the Atletico box, but Juanfran is across on the cover to hammer clear as the home team continue to grow in confidence. Gary Neville is almost like a man possessed on the touchline at the moment and that is just what his team need!
CHANCE! Atletico work a free kick short and eventually Griezmann pokes the ball into Vietto, but his effort hits the side netting. The little Argentine really should have scored tonight!
Diego Simeone can sense that his team are wobbling a touch and has some choice words from the sideline. This is so delicately poised at the moment - it has been a super 36 minutes of action.
Andre Gomes has been very good for Valencia in this first period and the Portugal midfielder continues to cause Atletico problems with his runs from a deep position. Atletico threatened to completely dominate this game when they took a 1-0 lead, but Valencia have hit back brilliantly!
CLOSE! Alcacer again sets up Cheryshev with a super flick, but this time, the Russian cannot hit the target. Excellent movement from the Valencia pair once again though.
Nice little turn from Vietto outside the Valencia box, but his effort is too high.
Atletico force a free kick in a dangerous position, but Gabi attempts a delicate chip and Valencia can restart with a goal kick. It must be said that this opening half here has absolutely flown past!
HALF-TIME: Valencia 1-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Griezmann sent Atletico into a 24th-minute lead, but four minutes later, Valencia were level courtesy of a super finish from Cheryshev. It has been a very even first 45 minutes of action here.
STATISTICS! Valencia have just about shaded the possession with 52%, while they have had five attempts - two of which were on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their 10 attempts, which is an indication of their threat in the final third. There have been 11 fouls and some tasty challenges, but the referee has not deemed it necessary to produce a card of any kind thus far!
BENCH WATCH! Valencia boss Gary Neville has three main attacking options on his bench tonight, with Negredo, Rodrigo and Parejo all capable of making a difference in the second period. Atletico, meanwhile, have the likes of Carrasco, Correa, Fernando Torres and Oliver Torres in reserve.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at the Mestalla tonight? Let's find out shall we! Atletico resume the action...
... VALENCIA SUB! Danilo has replaced Perez for the home team.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this match. Atletico rarely concede twice and would fancy their chances of collecting all the points if they can find the game's third goal. Decent possession from Simeone's side in the opening minutes of this half.
Good pressure from Atletico in the last couple of minutes as they box Valencia into their own half with a series of set pieces and possession. Valencia just need to be careful at this stage.
Valencia call for a penalty as Siqueira's cross is fizzed into the Atletico box, but the referee is not interested. Feghouli was close to the incident and seemed certain there was a hand in there!
Both teams are really battling for possession at the moment and it is making for an entertaining match. No real chances in this second period, but plenty of intent from both at the Mestalla.
Gabi drives one wide of the post following a spell of Atletico possession.
It is Valencia's turn to exert some pressure and Cheryshev's low strike causes problems inside the Atletico box, but Juanfran manages to clear and Atletico also deal with the resulting corner. While a draw is not the worst result for either team tonight, it would all but end Atletico's title challenge.
Good grief Siqueira has actually just ripped Vietto's shirt with a high boot, but the referee said no yellow card! Incredibly, we still have not had a single booking tonight at the Mestalla.
BOOKING! Santos (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Vietto.
Poor from Atletico as a short free kick from Gabi is played into Koke, who crosses straight out of play. What a waste! Cheryshev is almost released down the other end, but Juanfran is too strong.
CHANCE! Feghouli slides a low pass into Alcacer, who spins and shoots towards the bottom corner, but Oblak is on hand to make the save. Super movement from Alcacer there.
SAVE! Oh my word what a save! Sensational goalkeeping from Alves as the Valencia stopper somehow gets his arms on a powerful strike from Vietto - it is just wonderful!
VALENCIA SUB! Rodrigo replaces Cheryshev in Valencia's second change.
ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaces Kranevitter for Atletico.
BOOKING! Vietto (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Rodrigo.
Little under 25 minutes of football remaining and we are still level at 1-1. However, you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Atletico are the team currently pressing forward.
Juanfran does brilliantly to squeeze a cross towards Fernando Torres, but the striker cannot grow that extra inch and the danger is cleared. Feghouli breaks down the other end, but the brilliant Gimenez is across to make the challenge. Something has to give in the final 20 minutes here.
ATLETICO SUB! Carrasco replaces Vietto for the away team.
CHANCE! Gabi delivers a super cross onto the head of Saul, but the midfielder's header just glances wide of the post. It was a really good opportunity and he should have done better!
GOAL! Valencia 1-2 Atletico (Fernando Torres)
On his 300th Atletico appearance, Fernando Torres has come up with a massive goal here as the striker hangs out at the back post from a corner and can fire home from close range!
Valencia really need their supporters at the moment, but the atmosphere inside the stadium has dropped following that second for Atletico. Can the home side respond once again here?
Plenty of promise as Valencia continue to commit players in the final third, but they are just struggling to find that final pass at the moment as Atletico sit on their 2-1 lead here. Danilo decides to have a go from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of Oblak's post.
CLOSE! Carrasco whistles a super strike just wide of the post!
BOOKING! Feghouli (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Lucas.
RED CARD! SANTOS!
Valencia are down to 10 men as Santos picks up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Fernando Torres. It is poor from the Brazilian and a big blow to the home side's hopes tonight.
VALENCIA SUB! Negredo replaces Fuego in Valencia's final change.
GOAL! Valencia 1-3 Atletico (Carrasco)
Game over! Atletico have a third as a super passing move ends with Carrasco hammering home from close range. It was straight at Alves, but the Brazilian could not save it!
ATLETICO SUB! Oliver Torres replaces Griezmann for Atletico.
Valencia are just trying not to concede a fourth at the moment as Atletico break forward.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
Half-chance for Carrasco to score a second for Atletico, but he fires wide from close range after another excellent cross from Juanfran. Valencia are a little bit all over the place at the moment.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 1-3 Atletico
So there we have it. Atletico win 3-1 at Valencia to move within eight points of Barcelona in La Liga. More problems for Gary Neville, who heads straight down the tunnel and has much to ponder following another defeat. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
