Vitoria-Gasteiz –
Atletico Madrid again took the top position from the hands of Real Madrid, after defeating Deportivo Alaves 2-1 in the Spanish League.
At Estadio Mendizorroza, Sunday (3/1/2021) WIB, Atletico took the lead through Marcos Llorente in the 41st minute. The red card received by Víctor Laguardia in the 63rd minute seemed to make Atletico’s move to victory feel easy.
However Alaves managed to score a goal despite playing with 10 people. Felipe’s own goal in the 84th minute almost dashed Atletico’s hopes. But Luis Suarez finally emerged as a hero thanks to his goal in the 90th minute.
These results led Diego Simeone’s squad to return to the top position of the LaLiga standings with 38 points from 15 matches, two points ahead of Madrid who have played 17 times. Meanwhile, this defeat leaves Alaves in 13th place with 18 points from 17 matches.
[Gambas:Opta]
The course of the match
Yannick Carrasco almost gave Atletico the lead in the 6th minute, but his left foot shot was still thwarted by Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco. Atletico’s next chance came in the 18th minute, but Felipe’s header was blocked by Víctor Laguardia.
GOAL! After struggling to create opportunities throughout the first half, Atletico opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Starting from a counterattack, Marcos Llorente’s bait was successfully completed by Luis Suarez with a shot from outside the penalty box. Pacheco tried to drive him away, but failed.
1-0 score lasted until the break.
In the second half, Alaves began to fight back. Florian Lejeune had a chance in the 59th minute, but his long-range shot was far from the mark. But when he was trying to score a goal, disaster was there for Alaves.
Laguardia was given a straight red card by the referee in the 63rd minute, following a foul on Thomas Lemar. The violation was confirmed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Superior number of players, Atletico are eager to double their advantage. Suarez came close to scoring in the 70th minute, but his shot from inside the box failed to target. Five minutes later, Lemar’s free kick was pushed over by Pacheco.
Alaves did not immediately give up. Lejeune’s header almost changed the score in the 80th minute, but it still hit the post. A minute later, Tachi’s turn failed to produce a goal.
GOAL! Alaves equalized! Starting from Joselu’s crossing in the 84th minute, Felipe tried to drive the ball away, but the ball instead entered into the net. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak tried to block him, but in vain.
Not wanting to return to Madrid with just one point, Atletico continued to press for the remaining time. In the 90th minute the effort paid off dramatically.
Joao Felix’s breakthrough bait into the penalty box is then followed by a cross that leads to Suarez. In front of an empty net, the Uruguay striker calmly tapped in, tearing at Alaves’ net. GOAL!
Score 2-1 to close this fight.
Line-up of players
Deportivo Alaves: Pacheco, Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Lejeune, Javi Lopez (Marin 89 ‘), Battaglia, Mendez (Perez 75’), Jota, Garcia (Rodriguez 68 ‘), Sainz (Rioja 68’), Deyverson (Joselu 75 ‘).
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Hermoso, Felipe (Lodi 88 ‘), Gimenez, Koke, Carrasco (Niguez 82’), Lemar, Llorente, Vrsaljko, Suarez, Correa (Joao Felix 62 ‘).
(adp/ran)
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