The slow champions: Atleti lose at Alaves after another day of struggling in front of goal
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 25.09.21. | 17:07
Deportivo Alaves have beaten the reigning La Liga champions
Much can be said about Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid's style of play. Disciplined plays, highly organized defending, steel in the middle of the park – those are all proven virtues that brought success to the red and whites in recent years. But something seems to be off this season. They are leaking goals and are finding goals hard to come. The latest team to expose the champions' flaws is Real Alaves.
◉ Tuesday: Getafe score against Atlético Madrid for the first time since 2011
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 25, 2021
◉ Saturday: Alavés beat Atlético Madrid for the first time since 2003
At least Atleti won the game against Getafe in the end. 😳 pic.twitter.com/bugnJbwNN1
The blue and whites used Atleti's favourite weapon against the Madrid team – a good cross reached the head of defender Victor Laguardia who evaded his marker and steered a header past Jan Oblak to make it 1-0. What followed was nearly 90 minutes of Atletico's fruitless attacks. Possession is good news for any team – but not when there aren't shots on target or chances created to reflect the alleged domination.
It's not to say that Alaves' goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco didn't have anything to do. He had to be alert to keep Angel Correa and substitute Matheus Cunha out in the second half, but for all red and white attacks – it was the home team that looked more likely to score next. Quick winger Luis Rioja delivered a fantastic low cross for Tomas Pina. The latter had the goal at his mercy with just ten minutes to go, but his shot was terribly high off target.
Atletico tried to at least snatch a late equalizer by sending crosses from either flank into the box, but Javier Calleja's men kept clearing everything and held on to secure a priceless win against the misfiring champions. It felt as if they wouldn't score even if the match lasted another hour! They are going to need something to change their fortunes because at the minute they seem painfully off pace. Unless they improve quickly – they won't be even come near to retaining their La Liga title.
👀 LOAN WATCH: Antoine Griezmann played the entire match as Atleti lost 1-0 to Alaves.
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) September 25, 2021
• He once again failed to register any shot on target, no shots today infact, or create any chances.
• 8 games. 0 goals. 0 assists. 0 shots on target. 4 chances created. 5 dribbles. pic.twitter.com/WPXyIMqgt6
LA LIGA - ROUND 7
Saturday
Deportivo Alaves - Atletico Madrid 1-0 (1-0)
/Laguardia 4/
17.15: (2.70) Valencia (3.05) Ath.Bilbao (3.00)
19.30: (1.65) Sevilla (3.70) Espanyol (6.50)
22.00: (1.55) Real Madrid (4.40) Villareal (6.50)
Sunday
15.00: (2.75) Mallorca (3.05) Osasuna (3.00)
17.15: (1.47) Barcelona (4.70) Levante (7.50)
19.30: (1.40) Sociedad (4.80) Elche (9.50)
19.30: (1.70) Rayo Vallecano (3.80) Cadiz (5.70)
22.00: (1.85) Betis (3.50) Getafe (5.00)
***odds are subject to change
