La Liga Preview: Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid


78
The hosts are turning up the heat here. A succession of corner kicks sees Real Madrid put under real pressure at the back, but for the moment, they remain solid. Still plenty of time for an equaliser, though.
76
substitution Substitution Out Ángel Di María Substitution In Luka Modric
76
Another change for Los Blancos. Luka Modric enters the Madrid derby and he'll replace current match winner, Angel Di Maria.
75
Atletico are getting closer to equalising. Koke floats a cross to the back post and Falcao takes the ball down before smashing a strike over the bar. Lucky for him, he was flagged as offside, but Madrid were riding their luck there.
74
substitution Substitution Out Mario Suárez Substitution In Cristian Rodríguez
74
yellow_card Diego Costa
73
Diego Costa has tested the patience of the referee one last time and eventually earns a yellow card for diving. He went down under the challenge of Nacho on the edge of the box but there was very little contact.
71
substitution Substitution Out Raúl García Substitution In Adrián
71
Diego Simeone follows suit and makes a change of his own, and it's a positive one. Adrian Lopez enters the fray in place of Raul Garcia, which gives Atletico three recognised strikers on the pitch. Cristian Rodriguez also looks to be coming on imminently.
70
substitution Substitution Out Michael Essien Substitution In Raphaël Varane
69
Quickfire changes from the Portuguese coach. Michael Essien is the latest player to be withdrawn and Raphael Varane is his replacement at right-back.
67
substitution Substitution Out Kaká Substitution In Xabi Alonso
67
First change of the match from Mourinho. Xabi Alonso is introduced in place of Kaka. The former Liverpool man will add come much needed patience and quality in the middle of the park for Los Blancos.
65
Great goalkeeping from Diego Lopez! Diego Costa does brilliantly to ride the challenge of Nacho before rushing to the byline and smashing a cross along the six yard box, but the former Sevilla 'keeper dives off his line to clear the ball out of the box with a strong punch.
63
assist Karim Benzema
63
goal GOAL Ángel Di María
GOOOOOAAAAAL! GOOOOOAAAAAL!! GOOOAAAAAAL!!! Barely posed a threat...until now! Madrid go 2-1 up! Benzema drives forward down the inside left channel and slides a ball through for Di Maria, who goes beyond Godin before lashing a strike in the bottom right corner!!
62
Jose Mourinho needs to look into changing things here. Madrid have barely posed a threat to Courtois in the second half. They have a decent bench tonight, so there is options available.
61
yellow_card Raúl García
60
A real penalty shout for Atletico!! Diego Costa nods the ball down to Falcao who looks to take a touch and shoot at goal, but Essien comes in with a strong shoulder challenge to win back possession! That was good defending, and a good decision from the ref! Not a penalty!
58
The rain is heavily pounding the Vicente Calderon pitch tonight, but neither side have really took advantage of the slick nature of the surface. Passing, on the whole, has been pretty poor.
56
WHAT IS GABI DOING!? The Atletico man exchanges a one-two with Falcao and finds himself through on goal, but inexplicably slices the ball yards wide of goal before looking at the linesman! He must have thought he was offside there!
54
It has been all Atletico in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Benzema has hardly had a sniff the entire match bar his one-on-one encounter with Courtois, in which he came off second best.
52
Atletico take a quick free kick down the right and Juanfran screws a cross to the back post, but once again, Albiol is there to power a header out of the box. He's done well tonight.
50
Filipe and Diego Costa link-up superbly down the left-hand side, but the latter eventually attempts to slip the ball back inside to his compatriot, but Albiol reads the play well and intercepts.
48
DIEGO COSTA!! Almost a brilliant goal there! The former Valladolid man out-jumps everyone in the box before powering a header at goal, but Diego Lopez manages to retreat and collects the ball as it comes off the crossbar!
46
We are back under way at Vicente Calderon!

Half time at Vicente Calderon. Radamel Falcao got the hosts off to the perfect start when he nodded in from close range, but an unlucky own goal from Juanfran restored parity just 10 minutes later. A pretty even affair so far, but don't expect the match to end with 22 players on the field! Join us in 15 minutes of the second half!
45
Excellent defending from Raul Albiol. Raul Garcia clips a teasing cross to the back post and Diego Costa looks poised to head at goal, but the former Valencia man is on hand to glance the ball away under sever pressure from the Brazilian.
43
Diego Costa is lucky he's offside! He appeared to breach the Madrid defence and get in behind, but his lobbed attempt goes way over the bar. Fortunately for him, the play is brought back for offside. Awful finish, though.
41
yellow_card Morata
41
COURTOIS DENIES BENZEMA!!! Di Maria does brilliantly to ride the challenged of Suarez and Gabi before bursting forward and laying the ball out to the Frenchman, but he lingers in possession and allows the Atletico 'keeper to come off his line and make a smart stop!
39
It's raining yellow cards here! Morata is the latest player to enter the book for a rash challenge on Diego Costa when the Brazilian was counterattacking through the middle.
37
The responsibility is handed to Kaka but instead of going for goal, the Brazilian looks to pick out Pepe at he back post. Atletico manage to clear the ball for a corner kick, though.
35
Free kick to Madrid in a really useful position around 30 yards from goal. Now, with Cristiano Ronaldo not involved tonight, who'll take the set-piece in his absence?
33
Pepe sends a poor clearance out to the edge of the box and Diego Costa has time to pick his spot, but instead opts to hit the ball on the volley. His attempts near enough goes out throw-in. Not his best!
31
No takers for Atletico! That was begging to be headed home! Koke curls a free kick to the front post and Godin flicks the ball further on, but it flashes wide with nobody from the hosts prepared to gamble.
29
Weak penalty appear from Atletico. Diego Costa goes down far too easily under the challenge of Nacho Rodriguez, but the ref correctly waves play on.
27

 27
Madrid are just starting to look more comfortable on the now. Khedira and Pepe in the middle are starting to stamp their authority in the middle. Not much in terms of creativity, though.
25
yellow_card Koke
25
Why? Koke? Why? The Atletico man goes into the book for a completely pointless and needless tug on the arm of Kaka. He'll have to be careful for the rest of the match, and all for a stupid grab of the shirt.
24
Poor from Alvaro Morata. The Castilla graduate had all the time in the world to clip a decent cross into the box but inexplicably attempts to shoot from his position on the left wing. The attempt harmlessly drags by the post and he receives an ear bashing from his team-mates.
22
It's all getting pretty heated out there! Jose Mourinho is the latest to receive a talking to from the ref after becoming too animated on the touchline. The official has his work cut out for him in this match I tell you!
20
FALCAO!! He should have done a lot better with that chance! Koke swings a cross to the front post and the Colombian gets in front of Carvalho to head at goal, but his attempt goes wayward and doesn't threaten Diego Lopez.
19
yellow_card Pepe
18
yellow_card Sami Khedira
18
Naturally, Pepe also earns a booking for taking out Koke from behind. Playing in midfield, the Portuguese was always, always going to enter the book tonight!
17
Ohhhh poor challenge from Sami Khedira! The German lunges stud-first into a challenge with Gabi, and earns himself a deserved yellow card.
15
The Atletico fans are in full voice as they attempt to get behind their team, but the ringleader of the chanting with a loudspeaker sounds as if he's strangling a cat! Not the most of angelic of voices!
13
own_goal OWN GOAL Juanfran
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!! HOW DID THAT GO IN!? Di Maria gets up and floats the free kick to the back post, and it appears to bounce off the chest of Juanfran before nestling in the corner! What cheap goal to concede! 1-1!
12
yellow_card Filipe Luis
11
First Atletico booking goes to Filipe Luis after, surprise surprise, Angel Di Maria goes down clutching his face. There was a slightly raised hand but the Madrid man made the most of it.
9
Lightning-quick start to the match from Atletico here. Madrid have not got out of the blocks yet and have barely got out of their own half! They need to get their act together, and quickly.
7
yellow_card Raúl Albiol Tortajada
7
Two poor attempts from Atletico! Firstly Filipe's weak free kick is cleared by Madrid and then Koke cuts inside from the right and drags a wayward shot into the side-netting, despite having six team-mates inside the box.
6
First booking of the match goes to Raul Albiol after Diego Costa goes down after bullying the Madrid man off the ball. The Brazilian always attempts to get under the skin of the opposition!
5
What a start to the match from the home side. An absolute sucker punch to Madrid!
4
assist Diego Godín Leal
4
goal GOAL Radamel Falcao
GOOOOOOOOAAAAL!!!! GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!! Atletico take an early lead!! Gabi's free kick is fumbled to the left by Diego Lopez and Diego Godin stands a ball up to the back post for Radamel Falcao, who easily nods home! Vicente Calderon explodes with cheers! 1-0!
2
Diego Costa gets stuck into the action early doors. The Brazilian goes on a typically powerful run down the left-hand side and bulldozes his way into the box, but eventually runs into trouble and Essien clears for Madrid.
1
We are under way at Vicente Calderon!
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Diego Simeone's men are on a quest to end the rot against their neighbours. They have not defeated their arch rivals this century. Unbelievable to think really.
Those two line-ups confirm one thing about this match, both managers are expecting a real midfield battle.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Diego Lopez; Essien, Albiol, Carvalho, Nacho; Khedira, Pepe; Di Maria, Kaka, Morata; Benzema.
Atletico (4-4-2): Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe; Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia; Diego Costa, Falcao.
TEAM NEWS.
The pressure is off Real Madrid slightly now as a late leveler from Ander Herrera saw Athletic Bilbao draw 2-2 with Barcelona earlier tonight, so a defeat for Jose Mourinho's men would not result in the Catalan side being crowned champions.
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the action!
Good evening ladies and gents! Welcome to Goal.com's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon!