Atlético extends its European depression against Alavés

It couldn’t be just another day and it couldn’t be just another game. Only one team would come out victorious with three points, but the Mendizorroza duel between Alavés and Atlético de Madrid was a moment that would be remembered in the Simeone household. It was a special occasion as father and son faced each other in the league for the first time, with Giuliano also making his first start after recovering from a broken leg. And, against all odds, it would be the son who would have the last laugh. [Narrative and Statistics, 2-0]

The Simeone name itself carries connotations of struggle, effort, and sacrifice. However, in the opening minutes, both teams seemed to interpret these virtues in an exaggerated manner, resulting in a more physical game than usual. This was a league day without many emergencies, but with everyone keeping an eye on the Champions League and relegation battles.

In a blink of an eye, Alavés found themselves with the opening goal, and Giuliano had a chance to extend the lead. After a long clearance by Sivera, a series of rebounds fell kindly to Benavidez who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner. It was a fantastic goal. Unfortunately, Giuliano couldn’t replicate his father’s success just two minutes later, as his shot flew high over the crossbar due to a mistimed jump by Savic.

For the 12th consecutive game, Atlético de Madrid conceded a goal, signaling a defensive struggle this season. It has cost them numerous disappointments, particularly in away matches, as well as elimination from the Cup and the Champions League. It has become a dramatic situation for the team.

It was disheartening to see a team like Atlético, known for their strong defensive footing and counterattacking prowess this season, spend almost the entire first half chasing the ball and waiting for a chance to counter when they were already behind on the scoreboard. The impact of their defeat against Dortmund was evident, especially in their emotional state. Only De Paul and Koke showed some self-respect by trying to make a difference.

In the first half, with only one shot on goal and trailing from the 14th minute, Atlético’s performance was disappointing. However, just as time seemed to be running out, an unnecessary handball from Azpilicueta almost added to their misery. Fortunately for them, the VAR stepped in and overturned the penalty decision made by Gil Manzano. There have been times when similar incidents have been penalized. It’s easy to see why complaints increase when a bigger team benefits from such gray areas in the game.

Former Atlético player Filipe Luis mentioned that it can be mentally challenging to prepare for league matches that follow demanding European fixtures. This disappointment was evident in the first half, but Cholo tried to correct it with a half-time team talk and the introduction of Saúl for De Paul. Saúl immediately made his presence felt, engaging in a battle with Giuliano on the pitch.

Whether it was due to the team’s improved performance or Alavés taking their foot off the pedal, Atlético started to exert more pressure and create opportunities in the second half. This is where they excel this season, with a focus on possession and high pressing. Giuliano continued to shine as the best player on the field, tormenting the Atlético defense, especially Molina.

Two surprises emerged from the match at Mendizorroza. Firstly, the absence of Griezmann in terms of his impact on the game. The Frenchman was virtually invisible, continuing his underwhelming performances from the Dortmund match. This lack of influence poses a problem for Atlético. The second surprise was the absence of Samu, who was left out of the starting lineup by Alavés coach Luis García Plaza. It turned out to be a tactical decision that worked in their favor.

As the game progressed, Atlético improved their play after Riquelme’s substitution and came close to equalizing through Lino’s missed opportunity. Sivera also had to make a crucial save to deny Correa’s powerful shot. Atlético pressed hard, eager to salvage a point, but in the end, it was Alavés who delivered a final blow. They scored a spectacular goal to seal the victory and keep Atlético stuck in their post-traumatic state after European disappointments.