Atlético competed in the Metropolitano for reaffirmation and against relapse, without medium terms, because their insistence on the leadership does not admit them even their third place, at risk before the revelation of the League, Alavés de Abelardo.
First compasses of the match very even and with an Athletic one that bet by Nikola Kalinic like companion of Antoine Griezmann in the tip of attack. Saul returned to the left side with the couple Thomas and Rodri in the double pivot while the ‘Pitu’ bet on that 4-3-3 that so good result is giving the Mendizorroza, with the threats of Ibai, Calleri and Jony.
Just a shot deflected from Calleri rejected by Savic was the only approach of danger during the first quarter of an hour with an Atlético looking for dominance of the ball and a Alavés retired back waiting to punish the rojiblancos with the speed of Ibai and Jony.
He was going to get ahead of Atletico in minute 24. Good combination of the mattress team in high zone, ball for Arias on the right side that puts a great assistance with a center ahead of the defense so that the Croatian, Nikola Kalinic, with the waist over Pacheco achieving 1-0. He embraced after the goal with Diego Pablo Simeone, knowing the importance for a striker of the fact of scoring and the responsibility that the Croat will acquire during the next three months after the injury of Diego Costa in his ankle.
In spite of the goal, it was going to continue the equality on the part of both sets, with few fast transitions and many losses of ball in the center of the field. The worst for Simeone would reach the edge of the break, when Calleri falls in a dispute of the ball on the knee of Lucas and the French has to be replaced with serious gestures of pain leaving his place to José María Giménez.
After the break, the Alavés did not hesitate and showed a totally different image to the first part, launching the attack in search of a draw with an Atlético that was not intimidated by pressing up the Alavés ball exit. Vitolo entered looking to kill Atletico the meeting with the speed of the canary and Kalinic retired, between applause.
The game was short-lived by both teams with Pacheco and Oblak with very little work, although Ibai could match the match after a free-kick on the edge of the area but his shot went slightly off the Slovenian goalkeeper.
I was looking for the equalizer Alavés and Simeone decided to move the chip against the danger of the ‘Pitu’ with the entrance of defender Montero and replacing Thomas Lemar in a game, one more, very discreet French. And after the worst moments of Atletico, suffering much the visitors attacks, was going to sentence the meeting.
First Griezmann and then Rodrigo. Race alongside the Frenchman with Laguardia who ends up winning to introduce the ball into the goal after a rebound to the post. And with barely time to assimilate the rojiblanca sentence, Alavés fit the 3-0 after a rejection inside the area that Rodrigo takes to shoot Pacheco. With the tranquility of the result, the final minutes were pure procedure in a victory that serves to Simeone to equal FC Barcelona in the standings and leaves in the fifth position at Alavés.