Alaves v Atletico Madrid: confirmed startlists and pre-match notes for LaLiga tie
Atletico Madrid travel to face Alaves in a LaLiga match this afternoon as they bid for a fourth straight win across all competitions. Diego Simeone’s side sit second in the LaLiga table, five points behind leaders Barcelona.
Alaves occupy sixth place after seven league games, collecting 11 points from three wins, two draws and two defeats. That points tally leaves the Basque club four behind fourth-placed Real Madrid after the same number of matches. Alaves accumulated 10 points from their opening four league fixtures before back-to-back defeats to Racing de Santander and Valencia.
Atletico returned from the September/October international break having won their previous three LaLiga matches, victories that came against Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Real Madrid. Those results formed the immediate domestic lead-in to this fixture.
Toni Martinez, 29, has been identified as a player with added responsibility for Alaves after failing to score in the previous league game, a lapse described as having cost his side three points. The preview notes he will need an improved showing and goals to help secure a positive result.
The Argentine striker did not come up with the best performance against Elche, and as a result, Atletico Madrid had to drop points. Julian Alvarez will be looking to step up his game and will also be keen on getting back to his top form; the preview states he is going to be a menace to the opponent’s defence.
Atletico Madrid will be aiming to launch a title challenge in LaLiga while also targeting progress in Europe, with the report adding it remains to be seen whether the capital club can demonstrate the consistency required to be real contenders in both tournaments. The clash with Alaves therefore represents a test of momentum for Simeone’s squad.
This encounter comes ahead of a key Champions League clash with Manchester United, making the outcome relevant to Atletico’s fixture schedule and immediate preparations in continental competition.
