Atletico Madrid closed the gap on Liga leaders Barcelona to just two points with a hard-fought 1-0 win in an ill-tempered clash against Getafe.
The hosts were forced to play much of the second with ten-men following the dismissal of Alexis for a punch to the face of Mario Mandzukic, who had already given Atleti the lead just before the break.
Getafe remained stubborn opposition for Diego Simeone’s side, pushing hard for an equaliser late in the game, but Atletico held on for a narrow 1-0 win, as they so often do.
The result means that Atletico are just two points behind Barca, who suffered defeat in Saturday’s Clasico, with just two points separating La Liga’s top five teams.
KEY EVENTS
9’ SUAREZ CHANCE: Good effort! Juanfran scoops a cross into the box from the right wing, with Mandzukic teeing up the shot on the edge of the box for Suarez, but he drags his shot wide of the target.
23’ ATLETICO OPPORTUNITY: Good chance for the Liga champions! Griezmann works his way into the box, but his shot is tame. However, Garcia flicks it up, with the Getafe goalkeeper leaping high to make the save.
29’ GUAITA SAVE: Good save from Guaita! Siqueira does really well to beat his man Yoda and drive into the box. But his shot at the near post is saved by the Getafe keeper. There was some power in that!
43’ GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Atletico score yet another set piece goal! Koke's corner causes mayhem and Mandzukic finishes from close range.
48’ YODA CHANCE: Chance for Yoda! Alexis does really well in his makeshift right back role to get past two Atletico defenders and thread through Yoda, but his shot is charged down. The force is not strong with this one.
52’ MOYA SAVE: Big save from Moya! Escudero's freekick is flicked on by Godin, forcing the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper into a reflex save, another his flappy save from the rebound shot isn't as impressive.
58’ ALEXIS RED CARD! I told you this game was bubbling! Alexis is shown a straight red card for an elbow into the face of Mandzukic. The striker made the most of the contact, but he full-back was foolish to do something like that.
65’ OFF THE LINE: Moya saves his own blushes! The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is almost caught out by an in-swinging corner kick, beating the ball off his line after straying a few yards out into his box.
KEY STATS
Atletico are unbeaten in nine Madrid derbies, their best ever La Liga run against fellow capital-based sides.
Alexis Ruano has been sent off more often (four) than any other player in La Liga since the start of the 2012/13 season.
Mario Mandzukic has scored back to back for the first time for Atletico Madrid.
TALKING POINT – Is Mario Mandzukic a bit of a misfit at Atletico Madrid?
The Croatian striker will likely reach double figures in his first season at Atletico Madrid, but the question persists: is he really the striker to replace Diego Costa at the club? Mandzukic might be a battering ram, but he doesn’t run the channels and get in behind opposition defences like Costa did, and it might be having a detrimental effect on the rest of his team.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Juanfran
With Garcia and Mandzukic played as a front two the onus for Atletico Madrid was on the full-backs to provide the service, with Juanfran performing his brief extremely well. His crossing was good all game and provided a willing outlet at almost every opportunity.
PLAYER RATINGS
Getafe – Guaita 6, Escudero 7, Alexis 4, Velazquez 7, Valera 5, Lacen 5, Rodriguez 6, Hinestroza 5,Sammir 4, Yoda 8, Lafita 6. Subs – Naldo 5, Baba 5, Sarabia 4.
Atletico Madrid – Moya 6, Siqueira 7, Godin 7, Miranda 7, Juanfran 8, Koke 6, Suarez 5, Griezmann 6, Turan 8, Garcia 7, Mandzukic 7. Subs – Cerci 5, Saul
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