CLOSE! What a run from Carrasco, who gets around three Celta defenders before thumping a strike towards goal, but it soars just over the crossbar.
90' +1
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the second half...
90'
HIGH AND WIDE! Atleti win a free-kick down the right, which is duly delivered into the area. Celta get it clear, but only as far as Koke, but the Spain midfielder can only hammer his effort well off target.
87'
Celta seem to have given up the chase, as it were, and are simply excepting their fate in this game, allowing Atleti to control the tempo and ease towards victory.
84'
Iago Aspas gets yellow.
NASTY! That’s a dangerous and reckless tackle by Iago Aspas, and the former Liverpool striker duly goes into the book after he lunged in late on Savic. It appears that the players simply wish to rack up as many cautions as possible before the season is out!
82'
N. Radoja enters the game and replaces P. Hernández.
Picking up the yellow card will be the last action of the game for Pablo Hernandez, who is quickly replaced by Nemanja Radoja.
81'
Hugo Mallo gets yellow.
Koke gets yellow.
P. Hernández gets yellow.
Next is Hugo Mallo, who committed the initial foul.
More work now for the officials, as the players converge on the touchline following a hefty challenge from Mallo on Carrasco. Koke is the first player to see yellow as a result of it.
The third and final player to receive a booking because of that incident is Pablo Hernandez. There is little reason for this game to turn nasty given the situation both these sides find themselves in, but the fighting spirit of the two sets of players seems to be taking over...
78'
Nolito gets yellow.
S. Savić gets yellow.
Tiago enters the game and replaces Fernando Torres.
Another glut of substitutions now for the visitors, as Fernando Torres - who like Griezmann receives an ovation from the adoring Atleti faithful - make way for Tiago Mendes, who is making his long-awaited return from injury. While you can never be sure, it does not seem likely that Torres, who will be a free agent at the end of the campaign, will be in any rush to play anywhere other than this club next season.
For his part in that tussle, there is also a booking for Nolito.
An unnecessary flashpoint now, as Nolito lunges in on Savic. The Atleti defender reacts adversely, and duly receives a booking for doing so.
75'
Almost! Nearly an immediate impact then for Carrasco, as the Belgian winger races onto the end of a searching pass from Gabi, but is just unable to shirk off the challenge of Castro.
74'
Y. Carrasco enters the game and replaces A. Griezmann.
Atleti react to that substitution by making a change of their own, as Antoine Griezmann receives a standing ovation for his efforts in 2015/16 when he makes his way to the touchline. His replacement is Yannick Carrasco, who has enjoyed an impressive, albeit inconsistent, debut season in La Liga following his arrival from Monaco.
Minute
Description
72'
T. Bongonda enters the game and replaces Fabián Orellana.
A second change of the game now for the visitors as, following his booking, Fabian Orellana makes way for Theo Bongonda.
71'
CHANCE! An opportunity there for Orellana, who tries his luck with an ambitious overhead kick from 12 yards out. He connects with the effort, but his volley is not a powerful one, and it merely loops into the grateful arms of Oblak.
69'
In all truth, the game has been rather stop-start and scrappy since Atleti extended their advantage, and that will play right into the hands of Simeone’s men. Saul eventually manages to pick up some space down the left and work his way infield before thumping a strike goalwards, but Alvarez is equal to it.
67'
Fabián Orellana gets yellow.
That’s stupid from Orellana, who talks himself into the referee’s book after complaining that Oblak was taking too much time over a goal kick.
64'
Celta have re-found their feet somewhat now, and are looking to press high in the hopes of hauling themselves back into proceedings. However, their efforts are proving in vein at the moment, with Atelti’s expertly-drilled defence remaining as steadfast as ever.
62'
GOOD EFFORT! Superb play from Nolito, who displays his quality by working his way around his former teammate Fernandez with an excellent pirouette, before quickly drilling a snap-shot towards goal. However, his hopes of netting with a wonderful solo effort are ended by Oblak, who was well-placed to make the save.
59'
Iago Aspas enters the game and replaces D. Wass.
A first substitution of the game now then, as Berizzo reacts to Atleti's quick-fire double by replacing Daniel Wass with Iago Aspas.
57'
Well, those two goals have completely shellshocked the visitors, who now must just look to limit the damage. The good news for Celta fans is that Sevilla have pulled a goal back against Bilbao, though unless Berizzo’s side can muster an unlikely comeback in the capital, then it will be the side from the Basque country that secure fifth spot.
54'
A. Griezmann has scored a goal for Atletico Madrid!
GOOOOAAAALLLLL!! GRIEZMANN DOUBLES THE LEAD! Well, what a collapse from Celta, and what a few moments for Atelti, as they waste no time in doubling their advantage. Initially, Alvarez does well to make a save from a long-range strike, but he can only parry the rebound straight back into the path of Griezmann, who - despite his poor showing so far - leaps brilliantly to power home a header from the centre of the penalty area.
53'
The latest from the other La Liga fixture thus evening is that Athletic Bilbao are 2-0 up against Sevilla, with Aduriz’s double having done the damage against the Europa League finalists. As it stands, then, Celta will finish the season in sixth place - unless they can turn this result on its head.
51'
Fernando Torres has scored a goal for Atletico Madrid!
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! TORRES BREAKS THE DEADLOCK! That is a superb finish by the former Spain star, who somehow adjusts his body to drill home with an audacious bicycle-kick after a corner had found its way through to him at the back post. He had absolutely no right to score from there, but he has been by far the best player on the pitch so far, and he has now got his reward.
50'
For no real reason, tempers look to be on the verge of boiling over at the moment, with Godin and Guidetti getting into a tussle following a rather clumsy challenge on the Atelti skipper by the Sweden striker. The referee is quickly over to prevent anything serious occurring, however, but there was no real need for either player to have got involved.
48'
More frustration now fro Griezmann, as he strays just offside before racing onto the end of a neat throughball from Torres. The visitors have been doing an excellent job of keeping Atleti’s star player under wraps so far.
47'
A. Griezmann gets yellow.
Another booking for an Atleti player now, and it is most likely borne out of frustration, as Griezmann receives a yellow for a reckless lunge on Nolito - who had dispossessed the Frenchman.
46'
Welcome back! We are up and running in the second half at Vicente Calderon. Can either of these sides go on to make the breakthrough in what has been a closely-conested encounter so far?
45'
GOOD EFFORT! That’s another quality stop by Oblak, though in all truth it was much more simple than his last one. Nolito himself took the free-kick he had won, curling a strike over the Atelti wall and towards the left corner. However, it was at a comfortable height for Oblak, who dived to his right and parried the ball out of danger.
43'
Another small glut of Celta pressure now, as the visitors keep recycling possession in Atelti’s final third. They eventually work it infield to Nolito, who is scythed down by Gabi. The referee does not reach for a second yellow card for the hosts’ midfielder, though you do feel had he not just been booked then he would have seen yellow.
40'
CLOSE! Lovely footwork from Saul once more, as the midfielder somehow manages to evade two tackles from Nolito and drive his way down the right-hand side of Celta’s penalty area, eventually looping a cross towards the far post, but unfortunately for the hosts no attacker is on hand to tuck it home from close range.
38'
CHANCE! What a save that is from Oblak! Nolito’s free-kick is a superb one, with the ex-Benfica forward drifting a sublime cross towards the back post. Diaz rises highest to meet it, powering a downwards header on target, but the aforementioned Atleti goalkeeper does brilliantly to parry it away off the line with his legs.
36'
Gabi gets yellow.
That’s a first booking of the game, then, as the referee shows no hesitation in brandishing a yellow card in the direction of Gabi after the Atleti midfielder had slid-in from behind on Guidetti, handing the visitors a free-kick around 30 yards out from goal.
35'
A slight lull in proceedings now, as Atleti retain possession while plotting their next attempt at penetrating Celta’s rather stubborn defence. The ball is eventually worked out to Juanfran high up the field down the right. the full-back tries his luck with a swerving strike, but it sails well wide of the target.
33'
Smart, confident goalkeeping from Oblak, as the Atleti goalkeeper - who has yet to have a meaningful touch of the ball in this game - comes out swiftly to collect a raking pass from Diaz, which was aimed for Guidetti. This Atleti side really is studded with quality throughout...
31'
Scintillating stuff now from the hosts, as they string together a sublime move of five first-touch passes in order to create some room behind Celta’s back-line, which Griezmann wastes no time in exploiting. Unfortunately, the former Real Sociedad forward’s touch is rather heavy and, under pressure from Castro, he can only succeed in knocking the ball back into the path of Koke in order to keep the attack going.
28'
STAT FLASH - Atleti, who have lost fewer league games at home this season than any other La Liga side, with their only defeat coming in Matchday 3 courtesy of Barcelona, 1-2, have won their last six home league games in a row, keeping five clean sheets in that period.
26'
Great defending from Planas, as the Celta full-back spots the danger early and gets across to make a last-ditch headed clearance on the line to prevent Torres - who had squirmed past two defenders in order to get to the byline - picking out Saul at the back post with a floated cross.
24'
Almost! That is brilliant by Torres once more, as the forward weaves his way through Celta’s defence and into the area, with only a last-ditch tackle from Mallo preventing the 32-year-old netting what would be his 11th goal of the season. The Atleti legend looks determined to cap-off his season in style this evening.
22'
CLOSE! The resulting set-piece is delivered into a dangerous area, and Savic manages to get on the end of it. However, his header is a tame one and Alvarez is able to make a comfortable save.
21'
One player who is yet to really impose himself on this game is Griezmann, with Atelti’s top-scorer having been kept relatively quiet so far. He shows his quality there, though, as he turns brilliantly following an equal-super touch to get away from Mallo, who has no choice but to bring the Frenchman down and concede the free-kick.
19'
Saul is really looking at home out on the right wing. The midfielder is much more accustomed to playing in a central area, but his role out wide allows him to drift inside onto his preferred left foot, and take up more positive positions on the pitch. It is just another of the Simeone masterstrokes that make this Atleti side so difficult to deal with going forward, yet even more harder to breakdown going the other way.
17'
Some defending to do now for the hosts, as Celta begin to mount some serious pressure following a sustained spell of possession. First, Guidetti slips in the area just as he is about to unleash a strike from 10 yards out, but the visitors keep the move alive and work it back into the area. The ball eventually pinballs out to Diaz, who hammers a first-time strike at goal, but it deflects away from the target off one of his own teammates, and the chance goes begging.
15'
STAT FLASH - Of the 33 meetings between these two sides, Atleti have won 15, with Celta claiming victory in ten of the clashes.
13'
Wasteful! That’s unusually poor from Nolito who, after picking up a great position in the centre of Atelti’s half and proceeding to drive towards the box, drills a wayward pass out to the right. It was aimed for Hernandez, but instead the ball trickles harmlessly out of play.
11'
The atmosphere really is superb at the Calderon, with the Atelti fans in full voice. It is something of a celebration this evening, and though the hosts have not yet managed to open the scoring, they will be extremely confident of a victory following their early domination and the voracious support from the stands.
8'
CROSSBAR! That’s so unlucky for Atleti, who were just inches away from taking an early - and deserved - lead. After clearing the initial corner following Saul’s strike, the visitors were split open by a looping pass back into the area, which Godin, who had done well to stay onside, latched onto. He directed his header towards the top-right corner, only to see it loop against the underside of the crossbar and down onto the inside of the post before deflecting into the path of Alvarez, who manages to gather it in at the second attempt.
7'
GOOD SAVE! Fantastic pressing from Atleti, as the hosts swarm around their opposition in midfield. It results in Saul, fresh from his wonder-goal against Bayern, to try his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but Alvarez gets down low to his right to parry it wide.
5'
Great work from Torres now, as the Atleti fan-favourite does brilliantly to shirk off the challenge of Diaz before proceeding to drive down the right wing. He is quickly hassled by the retreating Planas, but still manages to drive his way towards the penalty area before Gomez gets across to make a timely challenge. Having netted 10 times this season for Simeone's side, plus never shaking off his responsibilities to the team on a whole, it seems extremely likely that the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker will remain at Vicente Calderon for next season.
3'
Straight away, Atleti look to get on the front foot as they work a promising move down the right, with Juanfran bursting forward from his full-back berth. The Spain defender crisply drills in a low cross to the edge of the box, which Torres looks to lay-off into the path of the onrushing Fernandez, but the Argentine midfielder is unable to connect with his attempted half-volley and the visitors clear the danger.
1'
KICK-OFF! And we’re off as, for the final time at Vicente Calderon this season, Atleti get proceedings under way on the sound of the referee’s whistle!
Hello and welcome, football fans, to our LIVE coverage of Atletico Madrid’s final La Liga game of the season. It has been another successful campaign for Diego Simeone’s side, who take on Celta Vigo today before starting their preparations for the Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid, which takes place in Milan on May 28. Stick right here as e bring you all the action as it happens from Vicente Calderon!
Third-placed Atleti's bid for their second La Liga crown in the space of three seasons was finally ended last weekend by a surprise defeat to the already-relegated Levante. Despite that disappointment, Simeone’s men are still likely to receive a heroes’ welcome from Vicente Calderon faithful when this afternoon, with the focus now having switched firmly to their Champions League exploits. With Madrid having beaten Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 in their last league fixture earlier on today before they switch their focus to the Champions League final, it will be vitally important for the hosts to cap-off 2015/16 with a victory.
Celta, on the other hand, have also enjoyed a fantastic campaign. Though they are already assured of a Europa League spot for next season, Eduardo Berizzo’s side sit just one point above sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao - who face Sevilla in the evening’s other game - and only a victory will be enough to ensure a top-five finish. However, the visitors are one of just three sides to have beaten Atleti at Vicente Calderon this term, the other sides on that rather exclusive list been Benfica and La Liga champions Barcelona, who sealed their second successive title with a Luis Suarez-inspired 3-0 win over Granada earlier. All told, Celta have won four of their last eight league trips to Atleti, scoring 14 goals in total over those victories.
The teams are in now from Madrid. So, without further ado, lets check on the line-ups, starting off with the hosts…
So, there is just the one change from Simeone, who will have to watch on from the stands this evening as he serves his final game of a three-match suspension. That amendment to the side that was beaten by Levante sees Diego Godin return in place of Jose Gimenez, who drops down to the bench. Up top, Fernando Torres - who has confirmed he has entered negotiations over a new deal with Atleti ahead of his current loan spell at the club from AC Milan expiring - starts alongside France forward Antoine Griezmann, whose goal in the semi-final second-leg against Bayern Munich ensured Atleti of their place in the Champions League final. Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Tiago, making his return after recovering from a broken leg that has kept him out since November, has to settle for a place on the bench, with former Celta midfielder Augusto Fernandez partnering Gabi in the middle of the park.
TEAM NEWS - Celta substitutes: Radoja, Bongonda, Aspas, Blanco, Drazic, Sene, Diop.
TEAM NEWS - Celta (4-2-3-1): Alvarez; Castro, Mallo, Gomez, Planas; Wass, Diaz; Orellana, Hernandez, Nolito; Guidetti.
Celta have suffered just one defeat in nine league matches since they were thumped 7-1 by Madrid back in early March, and Berizzo has stuck with exactly the same side that triumphed over Malaga last time out, courtesy of Nolito’s 12th La Liga goal of the campaign. It has been another impressive season for the 29-year-old winger, who has also amassed a further seven assists and is rumoured to be attracting interest from AC Milan and Premier League duo West Ham and Arsenal.
It is a terrific atmosphere at Vicente Calderon, as the players make their way out onto the pitch for the final time in 2015/16. These Atleti fans still have a lot to look forward to in this campaign but, for now, the side’s sole focus will be on ending their domestic season on a high note. The referee this evening is David Fernandez...
HALF-TIME! That’s it for the opening period at Vicente Calderon, where it remains goalless between Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo. The hosts have dominated possession, though have failed to create a clear-cut chance since Diego Godin struck the woodwork with an eight-minute header. The visitors, meanwhile, have simply looked to sit back and soak up the pressure before mounting a glut of attacks themselves in short, sustained bursts, with Jan Oblak twice called into action to deny both Marcelo Diaz and Nolito.
One player that Diego Simeone’s side must look to get more involved in proceedings after the interval is Antoine Griezmann, who has seen little of the action so far, with Fernando Torres the attacker making most of the inroads against Celta’s defence. So often this campaign, it has been the France forward who has hauled Atleti to victory in tightly-gought contests such as this clash.
FULL TIME! It’s all over at Vicente Calderon, where it has finished Atletico Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo, as Diego Simeone’s men capped-off their 2015/16 La Liga campaign with a typically hard-fought victory, and ensure that they head into the upcoming Champions League final on the back of a win!
It has been another superb season for Atelti, and today has been a real celebration for their support. They will take on Real Madrid in Milan in two weeks time, but for now they can enjoy a successful league campaign that has seen them secure third place having been well in the title race up until the penultimate fixture of the campaign. They were not at their very best this afternoon, but courtesy of goals from Antoine Griezmann and the fantastic Fernando Torres, they overcame Celta in comfortable, if not stylish, fashion.
For Celta, it is a bittersweet end to the campaign. They looked in pole position to snatch a top-four spot following a superb start to the season, but tailed off after Christmas and, despite a run of just one defeat in nine matches coming into this game, could not get the victory needed to secure them fifth-place. Instead, that goes to Athletic Bilbao, who dispatched Sevilla 3-1 i the Basque country. However, there is a place in the Europa League to look forward to next season, and Eduardo Berizzo can reflect on a job well-done in 2015/16.
Well, that’s all we’ve got time for this evening, as we bid farewell to La Liga until next term. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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