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Played
January 7, 2012 4:00 PM EST
Estadio La Rosaleda — Málaga
Referee:‬ José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes‎
Attendance:‬ 25000‎
 
Top of the Match
Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois
Atletico Madrid
Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois
Atletico Madrid
Flop of the Match
Martín Demichelis
Martín Demichelis
Malaga
Martín Demichelis
Martín Demichelis
Malaga

Malaga 0-0 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's first match in charge of Los Colchoneros ends in draw at La Rosaleda

Atletico's on-loan Belgian keeper was the star as his team picked up only their second point away from home this season

By Charlie Scott

The match finished 0-0 and the shares were spoiled in this La Liga encounter as Malaga failed to break down a stubborn Atletico Madrid defence at La Rosaleda.

The home side made the stronger start to this game with Isco looking to get on the ball at every opportunity. It was his early probing of the Atletico defense that led to a chance for Diego Buonanotte, which resulted in the first corner of the game.

Buonanotte then forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois after cutting inside Luis Perea down the left and looking to curl an effort round the Belgian goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Atletico was struggling to deal with Malaga's vibrant frontline, with Buonanotte, Isco and Rondon all causing problems both on and off the ball.

Courtois then pulled off a brilliant save from a Rondon header that was heading for the top corner after Santi Cazorla had whipped in a fine outswinging free kick from the right hand side.


Despite enjoying little possession in the opening half hour Atletico came within the width of the woodwork from taking the lead when Diego had an effort from outside the area deflect off Welligton and onto Willy Caballero's crossbar.

Cazorla's set pieces for the home side proved dangerous as the half wore on, particularly minutes before halftime when his free- kick from long range was inadvertently blocked on its way in by his own teammate Jeremy Toulalan.

The two teams went in at half-time with the game scoreless, yet this nearly changed just minutes into the second half, only for the referee to rule that Radamel Falcao had fouled Caballero in the process of heading Diego's corner into the back of the net.

As Atletico looked to get its first win away from home in La Liga this season Malaga spent far longer on the back foot in the second half than they had in the first.

Malaga still looked a threat however, and it took some impressive clearances from Atletico's center backs to stop Rondon from taking advantage of some enticing crosses from the likes of Isco and Cazorla.

Cazorla was then on hand at the other end of the pitch to keep out Diego Godin's goalbound header after the Atletico substitute Arda Turan had whipped an inviting inswinging corner in from the right.

Simeone's first match in charge saw Atletico keep a well-deserved clean sheet and helped claim a point from this game meaning the team remaisn in 10th place in La Liga, while Malaga moves up a place to 6th.



Malaga

13
Willy Caballero
Goalkeeper
3.0
2
Jesús Gámez
Defender
3.0
3
Weligton
Defender
3.0
5
1.5
15
Monreal
Defender
3.0
8
3.0
12
3.5
22
Isco
Midfielder
3.0
20
Diego Buonanotte
Midfielder
73′
3.5
23
Rondón
Striker
3.0
26
Juanmi
Striker
68′
2.5

Atletico Madrid

3.5
13
Thibaut Courtois
Goalkeeper
3.0
2
2.5
6
Filipe Luis
Defender
3.0
18
3.0
21
2.5
5
Tiago
Midfielder
60′
3.0
8
Toto Salvio
Striker
68′
2.5
14
Gabi
Midfielder
2.5
20
Juanfran
Midfielder
3.0
22
Diego Ribas
Midfielder
28′
2.5
9

Substitutes

1
-
14
Joris Mathijsen
Defender
-
21
Sergio Sánchez
Defender
62′
-
23
Apoño
Midfielder
85′ 92′
-
16
Enzo Maresca
Midfielder
-
17
Duda
Midfielder
73′
2.5
9
2.5

Substitutes

-
25
Sergio Asenjo
Goalkeeper
-
3
Antonio López
Defender
-
23
Miranda
Defender
-
4
Mario Suárez
Midfielder
2.5
11
Arda Turan
Midfielder
68′
-
19
Koke
Midfielder
-
7
Adrián
Striker
89′

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
50 10
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
46 12
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético de Madrid
24 5
Gonzalo Higuaín Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker
Real Madrid
22 0
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
21 0