Atlético Madrid left Mendizorroza with a 2-1 win over Alavés, recovering from a penalty setback and finding the decisive goal late through Cristian Romero. Diego Simeone’s side controlled long spells, absorbed a difficult moment before half-time and then pressed on after the home team were reduced to ten men.
Romero settles a demanding afternoon
Grimaldo put Atlético ahead in the 33rd minute, arriving to finish Jonathan David’s clever backheel through Antonio Sivera’s legs. The left-back later went close again from distance, his effort passing narrowly wide.
The visitors had been largely comfortable until Alavés found a route back before the interval. Jan Oblak initially made a sharp stop from Ángel after misjudging a cross from the left, and he also intervened in the move that ended with a penalty. It did not prevent the equaliser: Boyé sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
- Robin Le Normand conceded the penalty after being warned by the referee and was booked.
- Koke had cleared an effort from beneath the crossbar before the penalty was awarded.
- Ángel was later dismissed, after which Simeone withdrew Le Normand to avoid a further disciplinary risk.
- Romero moved forward in the closing stages and headed in Álex Baena’s outside-of-the-foot delivery in the 86th minute.
- David Hancko made a vital sliding intervention in the 94th minute to halt a dangerous Alavés attack.
Simeone’s shape and the changes from the bench
Atlético began with a system that could resemble a 4-3-3 while attacking and a 5-3-2 without the ball. Giuliano Simeone carried a particularly demanding role down the right, operating as both winger and auxiliary full-back. His work rate earned an ovation from the supporters who once backed him at Alavés when he was replaced in the 72nd minute.
Marcos Llorente was outstanding in his return to Mendizorroza, combining his defensive recovery work with reliable distribution from a role between centre-back and full-back. He also found space around the box, though his 66th-minute left-footed shot lacked power.
Romero dealt well with Alavés’ aerial deliveries and remained the defensive anchor as Atlético chased the winner, even if his longer passing was less precise than usual. Le Normand’s departure brought Hancko into the back line, while the Slovak defender spent much of his time in opposition territory following the red card.
Midfield control, then fresh attacking options
- Johnny Cardoso dictated play with accurate passing and gave the side tempo when receiving and turning quickly.
- Koke offered constant movement, often drifting to Cardoso’s right, and contributed strongly off the ball.
- Pablo Barrios returned directly to the starting side after injury, carrying the ball through lines and creating passing angles from an advanced midfield role. He was taken off in the 56th minute as a precaution.
- Giuliano Simeone was most effective when driving outside rather than moving infield to open the channel for Llorente.
- Antoine Griezmann is not mentioned in the match material.
Baena and Julián Álvarez alter the contest
Simeone held back Julián Álvarez, Baena and Kang-in for the second half. Álvarez came on alongside Baena and struck the post with a free-kick shortly after suffering a heavy challenge from Ángel in the 59th minute. His involvement came in flashes rather than sustained spells.
Baena immediately brought activity on the left, looking for openings to shoot from the edge of the area before supplying the match-winning cross. Kang-in entered in the 56th minute, initially behind Álvarez and later on the right wing after Giuliano’s substitution. He produced a few dribbles but created limited danger.
- Jonathan David had Atlético’s first clear chance, a left-footed attempt that reached Sivera without sufficient force.
- The Canadian forward then set up Grimaldo with the backheel that produced the opening goal.
- David was replaced at half-time as Simeone reshaped his forward line.
- Álvarez hit the woodwork from the resulting free-kick after Ángel’s foul.
- Baena created Romero’s headed winner with an inventive cross from the outside of his boot.
Mixed individual afternoons in attack
Lookman endured a difficult first half, losing the ball repeatedly from the opening minutes and failing to win a duel or complete a successful dribble. Booked before the break, he was taken off at half-time after ten turnovers.
Alexander Sørloth was introduced for the late push, but Atlético relied too heavily on high balls into the area and the Norwegian barely had an opportunity to influence the game. Oblak, meanwhile, had little to do after the interval: Alavés did not seriously test him either before or after the dismissal.
The result was built on Atlético’s ability to stay composed after the equaliser, use their bench at the right moment and turn a late set of attacking adjustments into a valuable away victory.
