Atlético Madrid delighted their fans at the Metropolitano Stadium with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés. This triumph marked Atleti’s first streak of five consecutive wins across all competitions since January, pushing them closer to La Liga leaders Barcelona. However, the win did not come quickly, as Diego Simeone’s men had to dig deep to overturn an early deficit.
Early Shock for Atlético
The night began with a jolt for Atlético Madrid as Deportivo Alavés stunned the home crowd. In just seven minutes, Javi Galán’s attempted block of a cross was penalized for handball, giving Alavés a penalty. Jon Guridi stepped up and calmly slotted past Jan Oblak, silencing the Metropolitano faithful.
Despite the early setback, Atlético struggled to find a rhythm. Samuel Lino came closest to equalizing in the 20th minute, but his powerful strike rattled the crossbar. Antoine Griezmann’s creative sparks were evident, but Alavés maintained a disciplined defense, limiting Atleti’s opportunities to speculative efforts from Marcos Llorente.
Second-Half Revival: A Simeone Masterstroke
Diego Simeone made a bold move at halftime with high stakes and frustration mounting. Substituting his son Giuliano into the game, he sought to inject fresh energy into Atlético’s attack. However, the breakthrough proved elusive for much of the second half.
Clément Lenglet squandered a golden chance in the 60th minute, failing to capitalize on Griezmann’s precise free-kick delivery. Moments later, Giuliano Simeone showcased promise down the left flank, but his solo effort ended in a deflection into the side netting.
Griezmann Sparks the Comeback
As the clock ticked down, Atlético’s relentless pressure finally paid off. Abdel Abqar’s handball in the penalty area gifted Atleti a crucial opportunity. Griezmann stepped up to take the penalty, blasting it into the net to level the score in the 74th minute. The roar from the stands echoed fans’ passion who sensed a comeback on the horizon.
Sørloth Seals the Deal
Atlético Madrid’s persistence was rewarded in the 86th minute when Alexander Sørloth delivered the decisive blow. Rodrigo De Paul’s incisive through ball found Sørloth, who hammered the ball past Antonio Sivera at the near post. The dramatic turnaround was complete, and the Metropolitano erupted in celebration.
Impact on the Table
This victory elevates Atlético Madrid to second place in La Liga, reducing the gap with Barcelona to just four points, though they’ve played one more game. For Alavés, the defeat deepens their woes as they linger just three points above the relegation zone, with a sixth consecutive away loss in the league.
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Final Thoughts
Atlético Madrid’s resilience under Diego Simeone shone again as they clawed back to secure a memorable victory. Fans at the Metropolitano witnessed a win and the spirit of a team that refuses to quit. With this momentum, Atlético is positioning itself as a serious contender in the La Liga title race.
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