Spanish League: Atletico Madrid Continues Resurgence, Defeats Deportivo

Atletico Madrid continued their resurgence to take sole possession of second place with a 2-1 victory over host Deportivo Alavés, who played with ten men, on Saturday in the eighth round of the Spanish La Liga.

Following their convincing 2-1 derby win over Real Madrid before the international break, Atletico maintained their positive momentum, securing their fourth consecutive league victory against the Basque side, who were reduced to ten players after a well-deserved red card for young player Ángel Pérez in the 60th minute.

Defender Alejandro Grimaldo gave Atletico the lead in the 33rd minute with a well-executed one-two pass involving Canadian striker Jonathan David, the former Lille player. However, Diego Simeone’s side saw their goal concede an equalizer just before halftime from a penalty kick. The spot-kick was awarded after French-Spanish defender Robin Le Normand committed a foul, and Argentine Lucas Boyé converted it successfully in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Argentine defender Carlos Romero restored Atletico’s lead in the 87th minute, heading in a superb cross delivered by World Cup winner Alex Baena with the outside of his right foot. Baena had come on as a substitute at the start of the second half (2-1).

The Rojiblancos, who host English side Manchester United on Tuesday in the second round of the new Champions League group stage, moved up to 19 points, two points behind leaders Barcelona and three points ahead of their former second-place rivals, Real Betis, who host Osasuna tomorrow, Sunday.

Meanwhile, Deportivo Alavés remained on 11 points in sixth place.