Atletico Madrid Grind Out Victory Over Hapless Alaves

In a match dictated by Atletico Madrid's dominance, Diego Simeone's side emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Alaves. The home team's 23 total shots, including 16 inside the box, were a stark contrast to Alaves' meager 8 attempts, just 6 of which came from inside the area.

Atletico's tactical superiority was the key factor in this win. Simeone's men controlled 54% of possession and completed 88% of their 555 passes, compared to Alaves' 83% pass accuracy on 464 attempts. This allowed Atletico to methodically work the ball into dangerous positions, culminating in Alexander Sorloth's 48th minute goal, set up by Pablo Barrios.

Alaves, on the other hand, were toothless in attack, registering 0 shots on target the entire match. Their 0.85 expected goals compared to Atletico's 1.78 underscores just how dominant the home side was. Alaves' inability to create meaningful chances was a significant tactical failing that cost them dearly.

Ultimately, Atletico's clinical finishing and structured defensive approach proved too much for Alaves to overcome. This victory keeps Atletico firmly in the title race, while Alaves' struggles continue as they remain mired in the lower half of the table.