In a captivating La Liga encounter, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Alaves on Sunday, elevating them to third place in the league standings. Diego Simeone’s squad capitalized on their opportunity after league leaders Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico on Saturday. Atletico’s triumph propelled them one point ahead of Barcelona, now sitting in third place.
While Atletico currently trails Real Madrid and second-placed Girona by three points, they have played one less game. Their latest win over Alaves, who currently hold the 17th position in the league, was orchestrated with a goal from Alvaro Morata, who also set up Rodrigo Riquelme’s opener at the Metropolitano stadium.
Ander Guevara managed to score a late goal for Alaves, providing a glimmer of hope, but it ultimately proved too little, too late. The victory marked Atletico’s 14th consecutive home win in La Liga, equaling a record set in 2013 at their former stadium, the Vicente Calderon.
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Riquelme, who played a crucial role in Atletico’s lead, expressed the significance of their home record, emphasizing the support of their fans. He stated, “The record is not by chance, at home with our fans, we feel more comfortable, they make us feel stronger. This win is very important for us.”
Atletico Madrid is focused on taking their season step by step and not getting ahead of themselves in terms of the league standings.
Riquelme’s goal came in the 26th minute when Antoine Griezmann provided an assist to Morata, who then delivered a precise cross to the back post. Riquelme showcased his skill by creating space and firing a shot into the near top corner of the net.
Morata added a second goal for Atletico just before half-time. He skillfully received Koke’s long pass, cut inside from the right flank, and smoothly slotted the ball home.
While Griezmann had a goal disallowed in the second half due to a foul by Marcos Llorente during the build-up, Atletico maintained control of the game.
Alaves managed to pull one goal back deep into stoppage time when Ander Guevara struck from the edge of the box. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak shared some of the blame for failing to keep the shot out.
Alaves defender Javi Lopez reflected on their performance, expressing that they improved significantly in the second half. He acknowledged that their away results have not been ideal but emphasized the importance of continuing to compete as they strive for better outcomes.
In an earlier match, Bebe’s impressive late strike secured a 2-2 draw for Rayo Vallecano against high-flying Real Sociedad. Mikel Oyarzabal netted a brace for La Real, while Abdul Mumin opened the scoring for Rayo. Bebe’s impactful long-range drive in stoppage time salvaged a crucial point for Rayo Vallecano, as they currently sit in seventh place, level on points with eighth-placed Betis, who secured a 2-1 victory over Osasuna thanks to Isco’s exceptional late goal.
Image source: reuters.com