Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga courtesy of a 3-0 success over Celta Vigo at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday afternoon.
Atletico lost for just the second time in the league this season away to Barcelona last weekend, but overcame Celta in Madrid to move to within eight points of Ernesto Valverde's table-toppers.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.16pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Wanda Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid welcome Celta Vigo. Atletico will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at league leaders Barcelona last weekend, and they will welcome a Celta team that has won two of their last three league fixtures. Stay tuned for what should be an interesting game of football!
2.19pmAtletico have won each of the last four league fixtures between the two teams – including a 1-0 success when they visited Celta earlier this season. Atletico ran out 3-2 winners when they welcomed Celta to the Vicente Calderon last term, meanwhile, and they have not actually lost at home in the league to the Sky Blues since June 2007, which is an indication of Celta's task here.
2.22pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Celta have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Atletico were in Europa League action on Thursday night – recording a 3-0 win over Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano. Let's have a look at the two XIs here...
2.25pmTEAMS!
ATLETICO: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Koke, Saul, Gabi, Vitolo; Griezmann, Costa
CELTA: Ruben; Mallo, Gomez, Roncaglia, Jonny; Lobotka, Radoja, Hernandez; Aspas, Gomez, Mor
2.28pmAtletico boss Diego Simeone has made five changes to the team that started against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Europa League on Thursday night, with Jan Oblak, Sime Vrsaljko, Diego Godin, Gabi and Vitolo all coming into the XI. No changes up front, however, as in-form duo Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa continue their partnership in the final third of the field. Gabi will skipper the home side.
© Offside
2.32pmAs for Celta, head coach Juan Carlos Unzue has named the same side that started last weekend's 2-1 win over Las Palmas, meaning that Emre Mor has kept his spot alongside Iago Aspas and Maxi Lopez in the final third of the field. Pione Sisto remains on the bench for the in-form away side.
2.35pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Celta a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico. As mentioned, Diego Simeone's side suffered a 1-0 defeat at league leaders Barcelona last weekend. Barcelona then beat Malaga on Saturday night, meaning that the gap from first to second is now 11 points.
2.38pm
HISTORY 📚
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 11, 2018
We've played @RCCelta 99 times with a balance of 60 wins, 17 draws and 22 defeats.#AúpaAtleti #AtletiCelta pic.twitter.com/PKCLfIKkDQ
2.42pmThe title appears to have gone for Atletico when considering that Barcelona are unlikely to drop that amount of points in the final weeks of the season, but Simeone's side will be desperate to finish above bitter rivals Real Madrid, who are now just four points behind in third. A defeat for Atletico here would make things very interesting in the race for second position.
2.45pmDespite the defeat at Barcelona, it has been a very impressive season for Atletico. The capital side have won 18, drawn seven and lost two of their 27 fixtures to collect 61 points, and had won eight straight games in all competitions before the loss at runaway league leaders Barcelona last weekend.
2.48pmIn terms of what is ahead for Atletico, the capital side will travel to Lokomotiv Moscow next week for the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie, and only an incredible turnaround in Russia would prevent them from booking their spot in the quarter-finals. Atletico bowed out of the Champions League in the group stages, but are fancied to win the Europa League this season.
2.52pm
🏧👥 | STARTING LINEUP
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 11, 2018
Here's our starting XI for today's match!
🔴⚪🔴 Atleeeeeeeeeeeeeti!#AúpaAtleti #AtletiCelta pic.twitter.com/MGNdvYaHdU
2.55pmAtletico will then travel to Villarreal in the league next weekend, before hosting Deportivo La Coruna in their final match of the month. Finishing second and winning the Europa League would be seen as a strong campaign for Atletico, who are yet to lose a league match in their new stadium.
2.58pmAs for Celta, a total of 38 points from 27 matches has left the Sky Blues in ninth position in La Liga. They have won 11, drawn five and lost 11 of their 27 fixtures this term, and are currently just five points off the top six. A victory in this match would be huge as they look to secure a Europa League finish.
3.02pmCelta, who finished 13th in La Liga last season, will enter the match off the back of a 2-1 win over Las Palmas last weekend. They have not actually lost at home in the league since Villarreal beat them before the winter break, but they have suffered eight losses on their travels.
3.05pm
💙 Once confirmado. ¡Hala Celta! #AtletiCelta pic.twitter.com/3dP5dO7jUB
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) March 11, 2018
3.08pmCelta will again be looking to Iago Aspas for inspiration in this match, with the 30-year-old enjoying another impressive campaign. Aspas, who is being tipped to make the Spain squad for the 2018 World Cup, has scored 16 league goals in 26 appearances this season, and netted at Camp Nou in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona before Christmas. Mor and Gomez join him in the final third for Celta this afternoon.
3.12pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the field ahead of kickoff in the Spanish capital. Will Atletico return to winning ways in La Liga? Stay tuned right here to find out!
0 minKICKOFF! Celta kick things off at the Wanda...
2 min... it is a windy, rainy afternoon in the Spanish capital. Far from a full house with many deciding to stay in the warm and dry, but there are still three important points to play for this afternoon.
4 minIt has been quite an open start to the match, with both teams enjoying possession of the ball. Vrsaljko has already had the chance to break down the right for Atletico on a couple of occasions, but the defender could not pick out a teammate with either of his two crosses into the box.
6 minGood pressure from Atletico as they continue to ask questions of this Celta defence. Griezmann is dropping deep to pick up the ball while Costa threatens in behind the away side's back four.
8 minNeither goalkeeper has had to make a save in the opening eight minutes, but Atletico have been the more threatening thus far. You sense that this could be one of those 1-0 Atletico matches.
10 minVrsaljko remains a good outlet for Atletico down the right, but the home side have not been able to feed the defender in space since he almost picked out Griezmann with a low cross.
13 minVrsaljko breaks past a couple of players before delivering towards the far post, but the ball goes behind for a Celta goal kick. The Atletico right-back has been dangerous in the opening 13 minutes, but we are still waiting for the first chance. Celta will be pretty pleased with their start. here.
15 minTo be honest it is not a great game at the moment. Atletico are allowing Celta possession of the ball, but the visitors are not really going anywhere with it. Bit of a nothing game thus far in Madrid.
17 minVrsaljko is again found in a dangerous area down the right, but the full-back's cross is poor. At least he has shown some attacking intent, which is more than a number of his teammates here.
19 minCosta finds himself free inside the Celta box, but the Spain international is penalised for handball. The ball had been rolled back to Griezmann, who had a shot blocked, but the referee's whistle was blown. Atletico are the team pressing, but Celta have not offered anything going forward thus far.
21 minGriezmann sends Costa on his way through a super pass, but Gomez is across to make a fine challenge. Celta have been nice and tight at the back in the opening 21 minutes of this match.
23 minWe are still waiting for the first half-chance with 23 minutes on the clock. I mentioned that this could be one of those 1-0 Atletico wins, and you sense that might well be the case here.
25 minMor steps over a low Mallo cross inside the Atletico box, but Gomez sees his strike blocked. Radoja then fouls Koke in a bid to regain the ball in a wide position. Still goalless in the Spanish capital.
26 minGriezmann goes for goal from a wide free kick, but it is comfortable for Blanco.
28 minCosta is flagged offside from a wonderful Griezmann pass, but the striker was level. Costa feels that he gets rough treatment from officials in Spain, and that was a very dodgy call to be fair.
30 minCLOSE! Godin heads a Koke corner just wide of the Celta post!
32 minMuch better from Atletico in the last couple of minutes as they start to raise the tempo here.
33 minCHANCE! Huge chance for the away side as Gomez finds space inside the Atletico box, but the centre-back sees his effort deflected behind by the diving Godin!
35 minIt took time for this match to warm-up, but it has been a good last 10 minutes or so, with both teams having brilliant chances to make the breakthrough. More of the same please.
37 minPossession football from Atletico in the last few minutes as they look to work the ball into the final third of the field. Celta, however, have been very disciplined this afternoon. Indeed, Roncaglia and Gomez have done a good job of marshalling Costa and Griezmann in dangerous positions.
39 minYou do get the feeling that Celta need to score first this afternoon to stand any chance of picking up a positive result. Atletico are one of the worst teams in Europe to play when you are behind.
40 minHalf-chance for Celta as Hernandez rises to meet a free kick from Mor, but the midfielder's effort was always dropping wide of the post. Moments later, Aspas curls over from a decent position.
42 minIt has been a decent last few minutes for Celta, who have more than held their own in Madrid.
44 minCelta continue to use the ball well as they enjoy a period of possession inside Atletico's half of the field. I should not imagine that Simeone is too pleased with what he has seen in the first period. Costa has just almost beaten Blanco to a through ball, but the Celta stopper was out to clear.
44 minGOAL! Atletico 1-0 Celta (Griezmann)
45 minAtletico take the lead on the stroke of the interval, and it is a super finish from Griezmann, who shows incredible calmness inside the Celta box to collect, turn past Jonny and find the top corner!
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Celta
4.01pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading Celta 1-0 courtesy of a super finish from Griezmann in the final stages of the half. Celta actually had a couple of really good chances to make the breakthrough, but Griezmann's strike is the difference here.
4.06pmSTATISTICS! Celta actually shaded the first-half possession with 54%, while the visitors managed three attempts in the first 45 minutes. Atletico had just one attempt on target in the first period, but that found the back of the net. No yellow cards to report - it has not been that type of match.
4.11pmBENCH WATCH! Celta boss Unzue does have a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Boye, Jozabed and Pisto all capable of harming Atletico in the second period. As for the home side, Correa, Gameiro and Fernando Torres are all in reserve for the hosts.
46 minRESTART! Atletico resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minAtletico have started the second period on the front foot, with Griezmann and Costa combining in the final third of the field. Celta really cannot afford to concede a second at this stage of the match.
49 minBOOKING! Saul (Atletico) is booked for a tug on Mor. Saul then actually grabs the referee, and is perhaps a touch fortunate not to pick up a second yellow to see red there!
50 minPenalty appeal for Celta as Hernandez goes down inside the box under a challenge from Lucas, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given!
50 minBOOKING! Aspas (Celta) is booked for a foul on Aspas.
51 minCosta is not too pleased with Sergi Gomez, who has just caught the striker's Achilles!
51 minBOOKING! Sergi Gomez (Celta) was actually booked for that foul on Costa.
53 minAtletico are pressing for a second at the moment as Vrsaljko breaks down the right once again.
55 minCHANCE! Big chance for the home side as the ball seems to fall for Saul inside the Celta box, but the midfielder's effort bounces wide. Costa had actually risen to meet the corner, but the striker got his header all wrong. Celta really cannot afford to concede a second here.
55 minPOST! Huge chance for Celta this time as Radoja meets a super cross from Mor, but the midfielder's effort hits the post. Really should have found the back of the net there!
56 minGOAL! Atletico 2-0 Celta (Vitolo)
57 minAtletico score their second of the match in the 56th minute as Vitolo produces a wonderful chip to beat Blanco. It was Griezmann that released Vitolo, and the winger did the rest!
59 minATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces Vitolo for the home side.
61 minIt took a while for this match to get going, but the end of the first period was eventful, and plenty has happened in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Atletico are looking for more goals here.
63 minCosta still seems to be struggling with that Achilles problem, and surely the Spain international will not be risked at 2-0 with 63 minutes on the clock. Gameiro and Torres are both on the bench.
63 minGOAL! Atletico 3-0 Celta (Correa)
64 minAtletico have their third of the match as Correa, who has not long been on the field, works some space inside the Celta box before finding the bottom corner with a really smart finish!
66 minCelta are really struggling to stem the flow of the traffic here as Atletico continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
67 minCELTA SUB! Radoja is replaced by Brais for the away side.
69 minATLETICO SUB! Griezmann is replaced by Gameiro for the home side.
71 minNot too much to report in the last few minutes; there is no question that the changes have altered the flow of this match. Celta are preparing to make their second substitute here.
72 minCELTA SUB! Aspas is replaced by Boye for the away side.
74 minMallo delivers a dangerous cross into the Atletico box, and Oblak just about gets away with it as he parries into his own area. Atletico will be desperate to keep their clean sheet in tact here.
76 minThe Atletico fans are in fine voice as we head for the final 10 minutes of this match. The sun is also now out after a rotten start to the day, which included plenty of wind and rain in the capital.
77 minCELTA SUB! Celta make their third change as Cabral replaces Sergi Gomez.
79 minATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaces Costa for Atletico.
81 minNot a bad position for Simeone to be in as he takes Griezmann and Costa off for the latter stages of this match - handing valuable minutes to Gameiro and Fernando Torres in the process.
82 minOblak has to keep out a long-range strike from Maxi Gomez.
84 minCosta has just gone down the tunnel with some ice on that Achilles, which took a knock in the second period. I am sure that the Spaniard will be left out of Atletico's Europa League tie on Thursday.
86 minNot an awful lot has happened in terms of attacking football since Atletico scored their third, which secured all the points. Celta have been well off the pace in the second half of this match.
88 minJust a reminder that Atletico are going to be moving within eight points of league leaders Barcelona, and seven points clear of third-placed Real Madrid, which is a big gap at this stage.
90 minVrsaljko's crossing has been dire today, and the right-back has just sent another one for a goal kick. I should not imagine that there will be too much added time at the end of the 90 minutes here.
90 min+1Well, three additional minutes have been added. Not sure where they have come from!
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Atletico 3-0 Celta
5.05pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 3-0 winners over Celta in the Spanish capital. A comfortable afternoon for the home side here! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary once again. Until next time!
