Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Atletico Madrid. Atletico's chances of retaining the league title seem to be fading, but a strong run of form has seen them regain control of third. Malaga, meanwhile, have their sights on a top-six finish this term.

Overall, Malaga have had an impressive season, with 45 points from their 30 games leaving them in seventh spot in the table. They have only won one of their last five in the league, however, and suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at struggling Eibar last time out. That said, victory this afternoon would see them close the gap on sixth-place Villarreal to just two points with seven games still to play.

Atletico, meanwhile, have won their last four games in all competitions, including a run of three straight league victories, which have all been by a 2-0 scoreline. That run of form has left them three points clear of fourth-place Valencia, but they are eight points behind second-place Real Madrid and nine behind the league leaders Barcelona. Diego Simeone's side have also dropped points in seven of their 14 away league games this season. It is another vital game for the Spanish champions here.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won three of the last five games, with Malaga failing to win during that run of fixtures. Earlier this season, Atletico were 3-1 winners at the Vicente Calderon and indeed the capital outfit also won 1-0 in this stadium last season.

TEAMS:

MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Sanchez, Weligton, Boka; Darder, Recio; Samuel, Amrabat, Castillejo; Juanmi

ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Gimenez, Gamez; Gabi, Koke, Tiago; Griezmann, Torres, Turan

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It has all the makings of a wonderful fixture, that is for certain. The away side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.

As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this early evening and the home side have made a fast start. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, but there is a good tempo to the game as both teams attempt to settle. The noise - as always here - is just deafening.

Atletico want a penalty as Torres goes down inside the box under a challenge from two Malaga defenders, but the referee is not interested and Malaga break straight down the other end here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but there is a good tempo and Malaga are starting to threaten in wide positions. Miranda is forced to come across and deny Castillejo, who had moved past Gamez down the left. The atmosphere remains excellent as this half gathers pace in Malaga.

It has been a good spell for Atletico in the last couple of moments, with Juanfran forcing the issue in a wide area. The right-back delivers a dangerous cross onto the boot of Torres, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Both teams are attacking each other in the early stages of this match.

Atletico are in control of the possession at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but we are still waiting for the first real chance of the match. It has been very tight thus far.

Malaga threaten in a wide position as Rosales delivers towards the far post, but Amrabat cannot battle Gimenez off the ball and the danger is cleared. It is all a little bit bitty at the moment in Malaga.

Good pressure from Malaga in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but Gimenez clears the first before Oblak claims the second. Still goalless with 17 mins played.

Half-chance for the home side as Amrabat shows excellent feet outside the box before trying his luck on goal, but it was always a comfortable save for Oblak, who has been excellent in recent weeks.

It has been a touch untidy in the last few minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. You just get the feeling that the first booking would settle it down, but the referee has allowed a number of tackles to go thus far. Still we wait for the first chance of the game.

Again Amrabat cuts inside his full-back before trying his luck, but his effort was always moving away from the post. The Malaga forward has looked the most likely to open the scoring thus far here.

First blood Atletico! The Spanish champions make the breakthrough with 25 minutes on the clock as Griezmann taps home at the far post following a terrible error from Kameni, who came to collect a long throw, but simply dropped it into the path of the Frenchman. It is a horror mistake from the stopper!

BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Amrabat.

It has been a decent response from the home side, but they just need to be careful in terms of discipline as the late challenges continue to arrive. There is a real sense of added spice to this one here!

Just a reminder that after this match, we will have live coverage of Barcelona's trip to Sevilla so be sure to remain with me for that one. The big games just keep on coming in Spain's top flight don't they!

Half-chance for the home side as Samuel meets a deep corner at the far post, but his effort is headed over the crossbar by Miranda. Good pressure from the home side as they continue to threaten here.

It is all Malaga at the moment as they continue to threaten, with Amrabat at the forefront of their challenge. However, Atletico are so strong from set pieces and continue to repel the danger here.

Malaga level with 37 minutes on the clock as Recio's effort from a near-post corner is deflected into his own net by Torres. I am not sure whether that will go down as an own goal or not!

Some are crediting Recio, some are saying Torres put into his own net. Waiting for confirmation!

It has gone down as a Torres own goal. All sorts happened inside the box and it trickled in. One thing is for certain, Malaga are level with little over five minutes of the first period remaining here.

It must be said that the opening 43 minutes of this game have just flown past. Malaga deserved their equaliser, but neither team has created too much in the final third. Still 1-1 as it stands here.

I should not think that there will be too much in the way of added time at the end of this first period. Both managers will want improvement in the second half, but 1-1 is just about fair at this stage.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Griezmann opened the scoring for the visitors after 25 minutes, but an own goal from Torres has left the score at 1-1. In truth, it has been a half of few chances. Improvement is needed in the second half.

STATS! Malaga have just about shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had three attempts - one of which was on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have also managed just one attempt on target, and it found the back of the net. Just the one booking, with Gabi having his name taken for Atletico.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have plenty of attacking options on their bench this early evening, with the likes of Duda, Guerra, Horta and Tissone all in reserve. Atletico, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Cani, Jimenez and Saul. Will either manager look to their bench at the break here?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at La Rosaleda? It has been very tight thus far. The home side get the second 45 minutes underway.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if it remains 1-1 for the next 15, 20 minutes here.

You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Atletico have made a good start to the second period, with Koke forcing and then delivering a dangerous corner.

Just a reminder that Real Madrid have already won this afternoon, with the capital outfit beating Eibar 3-0 at the Bernabeu. Following this match, Barcelona will make the difficult trip to in-form Sevilla.

Half-chance for the home side as Castillejo delivers a wonderful cross towards the centre of the box, but Gamez and Miranda combine to clear the danger, with Weligton waiting to poke home.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Amrabat delivers a wonderful cross towards the far post, but Castillejo cannot direct his effort on goal and the danger is cleared. All Malaga!

CHANCE! Opportunity for the away side this time as Torres sets up Koke with a cushioned header, but the midfielder can only head wide of the post. All happening at the moment here!

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, with both teams committing numbers in the final third. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here. It is pulsating stuff in Malaga!

CHANCE! Griezmann heads straight at Kameni as Atletico come close once again. Neither team is too interested in defending at the moment as the play continues to flow from end-to-end!

CHANCE! Good grief! Kameni then denies Torres from close range after the Spaniard had hammered one towards the bottom corner. The Malaga goalkeeper is keeping his side in it at the moment!

Not much is happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams continue to flood forward. How on earth was there only been two goals thus far? Surely more will arrive here.

Atletico gain a free kick in an advanced area as Darder brings Koke to the ground...

... Griezmann takes the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall.

Malaga have had the better of the last couple of minutes, but both crosses into the Atletico box have been cleared. It appears that the visitors are preparing to make their first change of the match.

CHANCE! Malaga come close to making the breakthrough as Sanchez delivers a super cross towards the far post, but Oblak just manages to claw clear under pressure from two attackers. It is non-stop at the moment as both teams go in search of the game's vital third goal at La Rosaleda.

BOOKING! Darder (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Griezmann.

SUB! Atletico make their first change as Saul replaces Torres.

The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, but he has remained sensitive to the occasion and for the most part, kept his cards in his pocket here.

Malaga take the lead with 72 minutes on the clock as Samuel Garcia collects a super pass from Amrabat before lifting his effort over Oblak. What a massive goal in the contest of this season!

SUB! Atletico make their second change as Jimenez replaces Gabi.

There is still time for Atletico to claim at least a point from this match, but Malaga have their tails up and might fancy their chances of scoring a third. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.

SUB! Malaga make their first change as Juanmi is replaced by Tissone.

Game on! Atletico level with 78 minutes on the clock as Griezmann converts from close range following a knockdown, but the Frenchman was clearly offside. What a horrible decision from the linesman!

BOOKING! Weligton (Malaga) is booked for dissent.

SUB! Atletico make their third change as Cani replaces Turan.

Griezmann was so far offside for that second goal, but the flag stayed down and now Atletico are just one goal away from claiming all the points here. I suspect we haven't heard the last of this!

CHANCE! Excellent stop from Kameni as the Malaga goalkeeper gets down low to save a strike from Saul. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the drama here.

CHANCE! It is Malaga's turn to threaten as Amrabat curls one towards the top corner, but this time Oblak is across to make the save. Little over five minutes remaining here.

SUB! Malaga make their second change as Horta replaces Castillejo.

BOOKING! Miranda (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Amrabat.

Amrabat remains the target for Malaga as Darder attempts to fire a ball into the forward, but the Turk cannot collect and Atletico are back on the attack. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.

BOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Horta.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at La Rosaleda.

Atletico are on the front foot as we approach the final minute or two here, but Malaga are nice and tight at the back and it does appear that the points will be shared. Malaga are making another change...

... SUB! Guerra replaces Amrabat for the home side.

Time is running out here and neither side can fashion a clear opportunity. Griezmann goes down just outside the Malaga box, but the referee is not interested as the seconds continue to tick past.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams level at 2-2. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!