Atletico Madrid travelled to Real Valladolid on Saturday looking to continue their 100% start to the La Liga season.
Neither side had a clear opportunity in an uneventful first period, with the scores remaining level at the interval.
Atletico took the lead after 56 minutes, however, when Ruben Garcia found the back of the net with a speculative header, before Diego Costa made it 2-0 after 72 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Jose Zorrilla as Real Valladolid welcome Atletico Madrid. The home side suffered back-to-back defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Real Valladolid in the early part of the season, but they are unbeaten in their last two with three points against Getafe followed by a 0-0 draw with Elche.
Atletico, meanwhile, currently occupy second position in the table having won all four of their league fixtures to date. They also came close to upsetting Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup before losing on away goals, while they began their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersburg in the week.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won four of the last five, with Valladolid victorious just once. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a comprehensive 3-0 win for Atletico, who were also 4-0 winners at this stadium when they made the trip in January 2010.
TEAMS:
VALLADOLID XI: Marino; Rukavina, Rueda, Pena, Bergdich; Sastre, Rossi, Ebert, Omar; Rama, Guerra
ATLETICO XI: Courtois; Manquillo, Miranda, Godin, Filipe; Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Costa, Villa
So there we have it. No real surprises in the home side's XI this evening, but they do welcome back Patrick Ebert following a spell on the sidelines. Atletico, meanwhile, are without Juanfran, but Diego Costa and Villa continue in attack. Right, the home side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere with those in attendance letting their voices be heard. It has been a confident start from Valladolid, meanwhile, with the likes of Rama and Ebert seeing plenty of the ball. You just get the feeling that they need to start positively against this ever-improving Atletico side.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the opening four minutes with Valladolid in control of the early possession. Koke picks the pocket of Pena moments later before attempting to release the run of Villa, but the Spanish striker cannot collect with Diego Marino quick off his line. Gabi has an effort moments later, but it was always moving wide of the post.
It has been a slightly untidy start from the away side, which has led to Diego Simeone rising from his seat to issue some instructions. The home side continue to force the issue with a number of deep crosses into the box, but Courtois has been alert to the danger thus far. Fairly calm opening six minutes to this La Liga fixture.
Villa has the ball in the back of the net for Atletico as he bursts beyond the Valladolid defence before finishing from close range, but the offside flag had been raised. Just a reminder that Atletico have dropped off top position in La Liga following Barcelona's comprehensive 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier this evening.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moment with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges, but the official has not looked to his pocket thus far. The home side continue to force the issue as they pass and probe outside the Atletico box, but as expected, Diego Simeone's back four are nice and compact.
Atletico's first corner of the match arrives following good work from Suarez, who moves past two challenges before being denied by Pena. The resulting corner is delivered by Koke, but his cross is straight into the arms of Marino. The home side attempt to break immediately with Bergdich, but he loses control at the vital moment.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides offering a threat in the opposing half. The first yellow card of the match is handed to Sastre for a challenge on Gabi. Costa's presence causes a problem to the home side moments later, but he is penalised for a late challenge on Omar - no surprises that he does not agree with the decision.
Good spell for the away side in the last minute or two as they force two corners in quick succession. However, the first is headed clear by Rueda, before Suarez heads into the arms of Marino. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in this type of match.
It has been a busy night for the referee thus far as he hands out another yellow card, this time to Suarez for a late challenge on Rama in the middle of the park. The resulting free kick is whipped straight into the Atletico box, but Godin is on hand with a towering header. Still goalless with 19 minutes on the clock.
It really is an untidy match at the moment with both sides diving into late challenges. Rossi is the latest to clash with Costa, which brings a furious reaction from Simeone. Unfortunately, not much football is being played at the moment with both sets of players more concerned with turning it into a battle. It is the type of match that is in desperate need of a goal.
Costa is again involved for Atletico moments later as he finds a bit of space inside the box, but he just loses control at the vital moment, allowing Marino to make the challenge. Guerra attempts to create an opportunity down the other end moments later, but he cannot evade the challenge of Godin. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments - or indeed this evening - with both sides struggling for that elusive pass in the final third. Bergdich does strike one from distance moments later, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Not the most entertaining of La Liga fixtures thus far.
Ebert follows suit moments later as he strikes one from distance, but Courtois watches it rise high and wide of the crossbar. Atletico attempt to break down the other end with Koke, but he cannot move past the challenge of Rama. There is no question that the away side are missing the pace and guile of Arda Turan this evening.
Hint of an opportunity for Raul Garcia, who is the target from a deep Koke cross, but the Spaniard cannot rise under pressure from Rukavina. It is almost like a pre-season fixture at the moment with the crowd silent inside the stadium. If there was ever a match in desperate need of a goal, then this is it. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Omar has an opportunity as he collects possession outside the box before turning and striking an effort on goal, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. This is the type of match that Atletico won 1-0 last season. A similar score this evening would not come as much of a surprise.
It's better from the away side as Costa links with Luis, who delivers a low cross into the box, but Rama just manages to clear at the vital moment. Both managers are currently gesturing on the touchline, but not much has changed since the early stages. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Villa this time as the former Barcelona forward collects a loose header from Pena, but his touch just lets him down at the final moment. How often can you say that about the Spaniard? There is no question that the away side are in the ascendancy as we approach the latter stages of the first period.
CROSSBAR! Glorious chance for the away side to take the lead as Miranda meets a cross from Koke, but his header thumps off the crossbar. That is the closest that either side have come to scoring by some distance. Valladolid have been non-existent as an attacking threat since the opening 15 minutes or so.
Rukavina takes matters into his own hands moments later as he thumps one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Slight problem for Luis moments later as the Atletico full-back hits the deck, but he rises to his feet moments later. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining in the first period.
Better from Valladolid in the last couple of moments with Omar and Sastre both having efforts from outside the box, but neither really threatens to open the scoring. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period. Unfortunately, it has been just about as poor as you could imagine at this level of football.
HALF TIME: Valladolid 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, not a lot has happened with both short of ideas in the final third. It is the type of match that could be decided by the odd goal. Let's hope for improvement in the second period.
STATISTICS: Atletico just about shaded the possession in the first period with 51%. However, the away side have managed just two attempts to Valladolid's three - none of which have been on target. The referee has also been forced to issue two yellow cards, but it could have been a lot more with the amount of challenges flying in from both sides.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of former Manchester United striker Manucho, while Osorio and Baraja could also be called upon. Atletico, however, also have options in reserve with the likes of Leo Baptistao, Arda Turan and Christian Rodriguez all waiting for their chance.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that three points for Atletico would continue their 100% start to the season, but if they fail to win, Barcelona would remain the only team with five wins from five games. Right, the away side get the second period underway on this warm evening in Spain.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise based on what we have seen thus far. However, I suspect that will change if the scores remain the same in the next 15 minutes or so. This is the type of match that Atletico would win last season. Can they keep pace with Barcelona at the top of the table by picking up all three points?
Good start to the second half from Atletico with the likes of Garcia and Koke getting on the ball in and around the Valladolid penalty area. A foul on Gabi presents Atletico with the chance to force the issue from a free kick moments later, but Villa can only head into the arms of the goalkeeper from close range.
A shooting chance arrives for Ebert following good work from Guerra down the right, but Godin is on hand to make the block. Atletico are on the counter moments later with Villa, who spots the run of Costa, but the Brazilian cannot turn inside Rukavina at the vital moment. Still goalless with 53 minutes on the clock.
Atletico are almost in complete control at the moment with Valladolid struggling to put together any sort of possession in the away side's half. However, it would not be a surprise to see Diego Simeone introduce Turan in the next few minutes with space starting to open up in wide areas. In truth, the home side do not look like scoring at the moment.
The overall quality from set pieces has been poor from Atletico this evening as Gabi delivers another cross straight into the arms of Marino. The Valladolid stopper has been the busier of the two goalkeepers, but you cannot say that he has been overly concerned thus far. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga encounter.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Garcia as the Atletico midfielder meets a cross from Koke, but Marino is on hand to make a wonderful save. The pressure is starting to build as Leo prepares himself on the sidelines.
GOAL! Valladolid 0-1 Atletico (Garcia)
Atletico take the lead with 57 minutes on the clock as Garcia manages to flick a speculative header into the top corner from a difficult angle. It had been coming. Valladolid make a change moments later with Osorio replacing Omar Ramos.
The away side follow with a change of their own as Villa, who has struggled this evening, leaves the field for Turan. It did appear that Leo was close to entering the frame, but the Brazilian has taken his seat. Can Valladolid respond? They have not offered anything to suggest that they can.
Half-chance for Koke to double Atletico's lead as he finds some space inside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Costa has an opportunity moments later following a poor pass from Pena, but he can only thump his effort high and wide of the crossbar from close range. Valladolid are in serious trouble here. They simply cannot keep hold of the ball.
The frustration continues to grow for Valladolid as they concede free kick after free kick in dangerous areas. Turan threatens with a mazy run into the box, but he cannot find a pass at the vital moment. It falls to Garcia, but he can only clip his effort wide of the post. It does appear that the second goal is coming for Atletico.
Valladolid attempt to force the issue in a wide position as Ebert moves past two challenges before attempting to cut inside, but the German runs into two defenders. Costa has a half-chance down the other end as he meets a cross from Manquillo, but his header drops onto the top of the net. Little under 25 minute of football remaining in this La Liga fixture.
End-to-end football in the last few moments with both sides committing players to each attack. Costa is at it again for Atletico as he powers into the box, but his final effort is wide of the target. Guerra is down the other end for the home side, but his cross/shot is into the arms of Courtois, who has had a very quiet 68 minutes of football thus far.
Gabi becomes the latest player to enter the book for a late challenge on Rossi, although the Italian made more of it than he should have. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with Atletico comfortable in possession of the ball. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments with Guerra starting to cause a problem with his presence inside the box. A corner from Ebert presents the striker with a half-chance moments later, but his effort is cleared by Miranda. You just get the feeling that Valladolid's best chance of scoring will come from a set piece.
GOAL! Valladolid 0-2 Atletico (Costa)
Game, set and match. Atletico have their second of the evening as Costa drives through the heart of the Valladolid defence before striking an effort into the back of the net from close range. Powerful forward play from the Brazilian.
That goal has silenced the stadium, but Atletico have been much the better side in the second period and deserve their goal. The home side look to their bench moments later as Guerra, who has struggled this evening, is replaced by Manucho. A free kick arrives for Valladolid moments later, but Ebert's effort is straight into the wall.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this for Atletico as they continue to force the issue in the final third. They look to their bench for the second time this evening as Garcia, who opened the scoring, is replaced by Rodriguez. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga encounter.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Atletico comfortable in possession of the ball. Valladolid attempt to force the issue with a deep cross into the Atletico box, but Manucho cannot collect under pressure from Godin. Still time for a late sting in the tail here. A goal for Valladolid would make it an interesting final 10 minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Manucho to cut the deficit to 2-1 as he rounds Courtois inside the box, but Godin is on hand to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. He just has to score. Another change for the home side moments later as Ebert is replaced by Alcatraz.
Atletico make their third and final change as Koke is replaced by Leo, who will provide plenty of energy in the latter stages. Valladolid continue to push forward, but it is leaving gaps for Atletico to exploit. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga encounter.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico to score their third as Rodriguez finds some space inside the Valladolid box, but he fires his effort straight at the goalkeeper. He just had to score. A third could be on the cards as the capital outfit continue to push forward.
Another half-chance for the away side as Suarez whips an effort towards the top corner, but it just moved wide of the post. One-way traffic at the moment with Atletico searching for their third of the evening. Turan's cross comes close to finding Costa, but Marino is on hand to collect.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. A bright run from Leo comes close to bringing Atletico's third, but his cross finds a home shirt inside the box. Little over one minute remaining.
FULL TIME: Valladolid 0-2 Atletico
So there we have it. Atletico continue their 100% start to the season with a 2-0 win over a poor Valladolid side. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 10.30am tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
