Saturday, November 23, 2024

atlético madrid - alavés


Atlético Madrid vs. Deportivo Alavés: Match Overview and Analysis

On November 23, 2024, Atlético Madrid hosted Deportivo Alavés at the Civitas Metropolitano in La Liga's Round 14. The match highlighted the contrast between Atlético’s title-challenging form and Alavés’ struggle to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Match Summary

Atlético Madrid emerged as dominant with their hallmark defensive solidity, ensuring another clean sheet at home. Antoine Griezmann was pivotal, continuing his impressive season with a crucial contribution to the team's attack. The midfield duo of Koke and Pablo Barrios controlled the tempo, while Jan Oblak’s presence in goal once again underscored Atlético's defensive prowess, maintaining their league-best record of just two goals conceded in home matches this season​

Alavés, on the other hand, showcased resilience but struggled offensively, a recurring theme in their away fixtures. With just one win on the road this season, their performance highlighted the challenges faced when playing against the league's top sides​

Key Highlights

  1. Tactical Mastery by Atlético: Diego Simeone’s side displayed their structured style, combining defensive discipline with sharp counterattacks. Their ability to exploit Alavés’ weaknesses in transition was evident throughout the game​

    Alavés’ Struggles: The Basque team managed sporadic attempts but lacked the cutting edge to break through Atlético's backline. Despite their efforts, the difference in quality was apparent, particularly in their inability to string effective attacks​

  2. Standout Performances: Antoine Griezmann led from the front, combining creativity with work rate. Koke, the midfield orchestrator, ensured fluidity, while Oblak’s clean sheet solidified his reputation as one of the league's best goalkeepers​

Team Statistics

  • Atlético Madrid: With this win, Atlético solidified their position in the top three of La Liga, trailing Barcelona by seven points. They have been imperious at home this season, with a record of 4 wins and 2 draws in 6 matches​
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  • Deportivo Alavés: The team remains precariously close to the relegation zone, sitting 15th. They’ve struggled in away games, with just one victory and six losses, highlighting a significant area for improvement​

Looking Ahead

Atlético Madrid continues to push for a strong finish in La Liga and remains a serious contender in other competitions. Their consistency at home makes them formidable opponents for any visiting team. Meanwhile, Alavés must address their attacking inefficiencies and improve their away form to avoid slipping into the relegation zone​


For detailed stats and further insights into the match, refer to sources like

m/soccer/la-liga-atletico-madrid-vs-alaves-nov-23-2024-game-boxscore-145563) and Atlético Madrid vs. Deportivo Alavés: Comprehensive Match Analysis

On November 23, 2024, Atlético Madrid clashed with Deportivo Alavés in a La Liga encounter that emphasized contrasting team dynamics. Held at the Civitas Metropolitano, the game presented Atlético as a strong contender for top league honors and Alavés battling to remain competitive amid relegation concerns. This article delves into every aspect of the match, from tactical strategies and key players to the broader implications for both teams.


Pre-Match Context

Atlético Madrid's Build-Up

Atlético Madrid entered the match with confidence, sitting 3rd in the league standings. Their recent form showcased their resilience, marked by victories over Mallorca, Las Palmas, and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League​

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With 26 points from 13 games, Diego Simeone’s side was firmly in the race for a top finish. Their formidable defensive record, particularly at home, had been a key highlight, with just two goals conceded in six matches on their turf. Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth had been their standout performers, driving the attack and providing vital contributions in both goals and assists.

Alavés' Struggles

Deportivo Alavés, on the other hand, faced the daunting task of overcoming a dismal away record. Ranked 15th in La Liga, the Basques had earned just 13 points, with only one away win in their campaign​

. Despite a determined performance in recent matches, including a Spanish Cup victory, their lack of consistency in La Liga left them precariously close to the relegation zone.


Match Day Details

  • Venue: Civitas Metropolitano, Madrid
  • Kick-Off: 19:15 CET
  • Referee: Víctor García
  • Weather Conditions: Overcast, 57°F, ideal for football​


First Half: Atlético’s Dominance

The opening minutes saw Atlético taking control of possession, dictating the pace of the game. Their midfield, orchestrated by captain Koke and the youthful Pablo Barrios, kept Alavés pinned in their own half. Antoine Griezmann was instrumental in creating chances, dropping deep to link the play and stretch the Alavés defense.

Key Moments

  1. Griezmann’s Threat: The Frenchman unleashed an early shot that forced Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera into a sharp save. His movements consistently drew defenders, opening space for teammates​
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  2. Defensive Solidity: Alavés tried to counter through Kike García, but Atlético’s backline, led by Jan Oblak and César Azpilicueta, neutralized any threat​
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  3. First Goal: Around the 25th minute, Alexander Sorloth capitalized on a pinpoint cross from Marcos Llorente, heading the ball past Sivera to give Atlético the lead​
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Second Half: Atlético Seals the Game

The second half began with renewed energy from Alavés, who attempted to press higher up the field. However, their efforts were in vain as Atlético doubled their lead early in the half.

Key Developments

  1. Griezmann Scores: In the 55th minute, a quick one-two between Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul ended with Griezmann curling the ball into the top corner. The goal showcased his precision and composure under pressure​
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  2. Alavés’ Missed Opportunities: Despite sporadic attacks, including a close-range header by Kike García, Alavés lacked the finishing touch. Their inefficiency in the final third highlighted their season-long struggles​.
  3. Late Substitutions: Diego Simeone introduced fresh legs, including Giuliano Simeone and Conor Gallagher, to manage the game and maintain defensive stability.

Tactical Analysis

Atlético Madrid

  • Formation: 4-4-2
  • Strengths: Atlético’s compact defensive structure, led by Jan Oblak, provided a solid foundation. Their ability to transition quickly from defense to attack caught Alavés off-guard multiple times.
  • Weaknesses: While dominant, Atlético occasionally showed vulnerability on the wings, allowing Alavés a few opportunities to deliver crosses​

Deportivo Alavés

  • Formation: 4-2-3-1
  • Strengths: Alavés displayed commendable work ethic, particularly in midfield battles.
  • Weaknesses: Their lack of creativity and poor finishing undermined their ability to challenge Atlético. Defensively, they struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Atlético’s forwards​
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Player Performances

Atlético Madrid

  • Antoine Griezmann: Delivered a man-of-the-match performance with a goal and an assist, showcasing his leadership and creativity​
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  • Jan Oblak: Another clean sheet for the Slovenian goalkeeper, who made crucial saves to deny Alavés.
  • Alexander Sorloth: His physical presence and aerial ability proved decisive, as he scored the opening goal​
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Deportivo Alavés

  • Kike García: The forward worked tirelessly but lacked support from his teammates.
  • Antonio Sivera: Despite conceding two goals, the Alavés goalkeeper made several impressive saves to keep the scoreline respectable​


Post-Match Reactions

Diego Simeone (Atlético Manager)

Simeone praised his team’s discipline and execution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their momentum in both La Liga and European competitions.

Luis García Plaza (Alavés Manager)

The Alavés coach acknowledged his team’s shortcomings but remained optimistic about their ability to improve in upcoming matches​


Implications for the Season

Atlético Madrid

  • Title Contenders: This win reinforced Atlético’s status as serious title challengers. With their robust defense and an improving attack, they are well-positioned to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid​
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  • European Ambitions: Success in La Liga is vital for their aspirations in the Champions League, where they have also shown promising form.

Deportivo Alavés

  • Relegation Battle: With just 13 points, Alavés must improve their away form to avoid being dragged further into the relegation fight​
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  • Areas to Address: Creativity in attack and defensive organization are immediate priorities for the team.

Conclusion

Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Deportivo Alavés highlighted the gulf in quality between the two teams. While Atlético’s ambitions continue to soar, Alavés must regroup and focus on the challenges ahead to ensure their survival in La Liga. As the season progresses, both teams face pivotal fixtures that will shape their fortunes.

This comprehensive analysis underscores the significance of tactical planning, player performance, and overall team dynamics in determining match outcomes. For further updates, follow reliable sports platforms like




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