This Sunday, Deportivo Alavés took advantage of the European hangover caused by Atlético de Madrid's elimination from the Champions League and beat them 2-0 in a great defensive match, in which they barely gave the colchoneros any options on the thirty-second matchday of LaLiga EA Sports.
Carlos Benavídez in the 15th minute and Luis Rioja in stoppage time, with a spectacular volley, rounded off a great defensive game by the Albiazules where Antonio Sivera also appeared with two great saves in the second half.
This victory brings Alavés significantly closer to permanence, while the rojiblancos are left with 61 points and without securing a Champions League place.
The game started off a bit rough with tough tackles from both sides that resulted in two yellow cards for the locals, with very little real play. The sparks at the beginning gave way to the Colchonero monopoly with the ball but without chances. Just some dead ball approach.
At 15 minutes into the game, Carlos Benavídez scored the first goal of the afternoon by collecting a rebound from the front and adjusting it to the left post of Jan Oblak, who stretched unsuccessfully.
The goal knocked out Atlético, who were close to receiving the second after a good counterattack on the right wing that left Giuliano Simeone alone against the red and white goalkeeper, but his shot went over the visiting goal.
The colchoneros were recovering, but they had a hard time overcoming a well-established local defense. Antonio Sivera barely appeared on one occasion, while Diego Pablo Simeone left his voice on the wing to try to correct the position of his team, which was not comfortable.
The match was played in the center of the field and the set piece began to be an important weapon in a clash with many interruptions. Atlético finished the first half better, which ended with controversy. Gil Manzano declared a penalty for handball in favor of Alavés, but annulled it after seeing the images on the VAR.
Simeone's men continued to suffer after the break. Alavés continued to defend itself and tried to surprise its rival with speed. Kike García tried with a good finish but was unable to overcome Oblak. The rojiblancos were gaining ground and were playing closer to Antonio Sivera's goal, who didn't have much work either.
The Albiazul defensive work was commendable, while the colchoneros did not give up. Samu Lino had the clearest shot with the 1-0 lead 15 minutes from time, but he found the Alavés goalkeeper, well positioned, who saved the shot safely.
Antonio Sivera appeared again in the 82nd minute to prevent the goal from Ángel Correa, who tried with a sharp cross shot against the post. It was the worst moment for Alavés, but between the defense and the Alicante goalkeeper they overcame it with flying colors.
When Atlético pressed the most, Alavés' second goal arrived in stoppage time. A great counterattack was culminated by Luis Rioja with a spectacular volley that slipped into Oblak's corner and thus closed the match.
2 - Alavés: Sivera; Gorosabel (Rioja, min.88), Tenaglia, Rafa Marín, Abqar, López; Blanco, Benavídez, Guridi (Guevara, min.70); Kike García (Panichelli, min.79), and Giuliano (Vicente, min.79).
0 - Atlético: Oblak; Molina (Hermoso, min.81); Savic (Raihani, min.81), Giménez, Lino, Azpilicueta (Reinildo, min.57); Barrios (Riquelme, min.67), De Paul (Saúl, min.46), Koke; Correa and Griezmann.
Referee: Gil Manzano (Extremadura Committee). He gave a yellow card to the locals Guridi (min.2), López (min.6), Abqar (min.33), Benavídez (min.49), Marín (min.68) and the visitors Correa (min.45) , Azpilicueta (min.50) and Savic (min.68)
Goals: 1-0: min. 15, Benavidez. 2-0: min. 92, Rioja.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the thirty-second day of LaLiga EA Sports played at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria in front of 18,179 spectators.
