The match began with a comfortable Málaga taking the initiative of the game, two corners, and with Cazorla taking various passes from the right flank.  But the Malaguistas’ first goal chance came from Diego Buonanotte, who perfectly controlled a wing change and almost managed to overcome Atlético’s goalkeeper, Courtois.  The same combination between Isco and the Argentinean happened moments later, and it was to be one of the most advantageous points at the start of the game for Pellegrini’s men.
 
Just after 20 minutes into the match, Málaga got their next major chance, a shot from Rondón, a pass from Santi Cazorla, but the Atlético goalie pulled out a great save, reaching almost the top left corner of his goal.  Atlético de Madrid only approached Willy Caballero’s goal on one occasion with a move by Falcao, but Weligton had the speed to stop the Colombian’s clear shot.
 
Even though the vast majority of chances were the Blue and Whites’, arguably the best chance of the first half came from the Madrid side, who managed a long ball but the shot that was deflected by Weligton and, after rebounding off the crossbar, was saved twice by Willy.
 
The match hurtled towards half time with Málaga producing most of the moves and Atlético waiting for their turn with their centre forward, Falcao, very alone against the Malaguisat defence; this, whilst the Blue and Whites tried as best they could until the end of the first half which ended with a goalless draw.
 
The second half began with Málaga very on top of the ball, wanting to play quickly and to steal an early advantage with a great move by Jesús Gámez on the right and a pass that Courtois managed to save twice.  Just after, there was a corner that ended with a disallowed goal for Atlético for a foul in Willy Caballero’s area.  In these few minutes it was becoming increasingly clear that Simeone’s men were in wait to go on the counter-attack, taking advantage of their men’s speed in the midfield and in attack.  From there on in, the game became more intense, but without many more goal chances until the Atlético corner taken by Godín, which was knocked off course by Santi Cazorla, denying the visitors a goal.
 
As we approached the end of the match, Málaga’s fatigue, as a result of the first Copa match against Real Madrid and the team’s constant effort since the beginning of this match, was increasingly evident.  This was favourable for the ‘Colchoneros’, who were able to then dominate ball possession, something that culminated in a shot by Diego, after a long combination move, that went off near Caballero’s right goalpost.
 
However, Málaga didn’t give up trying to achieve a winning goal and, with the move of the two players who had recently come on, Duda and Apoño, they nearly managed it.  But it wasn’t to be, and after two minutes of extra time, the game ended as it had started: scoreless.
 
With this result, Málaga Club de Fútbol now has 25 points in the BBVA League and they rejoin the teams who are in Europa League positions.
 
 
Match details
 
Málaga CF: Caballero, Gámez, Welligton, Demichelis, Monreal, Toulalan, Cazorla (Apoño 85’), Bounanotte (Duda 73’), Isco, Juanmi (Van Nistelrooy 68’) and Rondón.
 
Atlético de Madrid: Courtois, Perea, Godín, Domínguez, Filipe, Tiago, Juanfran, Gabi, Diego, Salvio (Arda Turan 68’) and Falcao (89’). 
 
Goals:
No goals
 
Referee:
J.A. Teixeira Vitienes. Cards for the home side’s Demichelis, Sergio Sánchez (bench) and Apoño; as well as the visitors’ A. Domíngez, Diego, Tiago and Falcao. 
 
Notes:
18th match of the BBVA League played at Málaga’s La Rosaleda stadium.