Atlético Madrid Faces Alavés in Crucial LaLiga Match

The first half of the season did not conclude favorably for Atlético Madrid. It feels like ages since the rojiblancos drew with Real Sociedad at Anoeta and subsequently shifted their focus to the Supercopa and Copa del Rey. After a brief hiatus, regular league competition resumes, and Atlético returns to the Metropolitano a month later.

It is clear that the first half of the season was not satisfactory for Coach Diego Simeone and his squad, as they find themselves significantly distanced from the league leaders. The challenge ahead is monumental, requiring the rojiblancos to overcome an eleven-point deficit against Barcelona. Today, as they face Alavés, they embark on a quest to achieve what no team has ever accomplished: closing such a gap in a single season to claim the championship.

The start of the season severely hampered Atlético’s chances. Securing only two points from the initial nine available proved to be a steep uphill battle. One of the setbacks occurred in August against Alavés, the same team visiting the Metropolitano today. Although Atlético managed to put up a fight at Camp Nou in early December, defeats against Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao towards the end of the year, along with a draw against Real Sociedad to kick off 2026, have complicated matters further.

With the league title seemingly out of reach, Atlético must return to one of the core tenets of Simeone’s philosophy: taking it one match at a time, starting with Coudet’s squad. After advancing to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, the team can set aside knockout competition for a few weeks. It is imperative now to re-engage in the league battle and subsequently focus on securing a spot in the top eight of the Champions League.

Before their upcoming match against Galatasaray in Turkey, Atlético aims to initiate a winning streak that could spark hopes of an improbable comeback. They will count on their strongest ally: returning to the Metropolitano after a month. Their last home game was on December 13 against Valencia, where Griezmann emerged as the hero of the evening. Not much has changed since then; he once again donned his legendary cape in the Copa match on Tuesday, propelling his team into the quarter-finals and is expected to lead the squad today.

Alavés arrives at the Metropolitano with a sense of urgency similar to the one they experienced last week at La Cerámica. Facing another formidable opponent, the team is increasingly aware of their precarious position in the table and is determined to secure points to alleviate their relegation fears. Coach Coudet is relying on the momentum gained from their recent advancement in the Copa del Rey.

The primary objective for Alavés is to demonstrate the same character they exhibited in the first half against Villarreal and to convert those promising moments into goals. The team’s significant challenge lies in their finishing ability, as they often need to create numerous opportunities to find the net. However, the current form of Toni Martínez offers a glimmer of hope for potential success during their visit to the capital.

This match represents a clash of necessity: one side aspires to contend for the title, while the other strives to distance itself from relegation. While their objectives differ, both are equally vital. Atlético embarks on an uphill battle, while Alavés seeks to make survival possible.