Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the La Liga match between Alaves and Atletico Madrid. The away side, Atletico currently find themselves 2nd in La Liga behind their cross-city rivals Real, while they are unbeaten in competitive action so far this season. Alaves' exploits so far this season have basically been the complete opposite, as they're bottom of La Liga on 0 points and have lost every game. Can Atletico continue their good form? Or will Alaves kickstart their season? We will be bringing you all the build-up, highlights and talking points from the match this afternoon, so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 13:00!
La Liga / Matchday 7
Mendizorroza / 25.09.2021
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- V. Laguardia(4')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 25/09/2021 at 14:58 GMT+1
17'
Atleti really need to move the ball much quicker. Rioja glides past Kondogbia before getting fouled, the referee waves advantage and that advantage ends swiftly when Savic fouls Sylla in pursuit of the loose ball.
14'
Llorente tries to pick out Suarez with a through ball into the box, but there's too much on it and it rolls out of play for a goal kick.
11'
Hermoso whips in a pinpoint cross to Suarez, but the towering Miazga manages to head it out for a corner.
8'
Alaves are pressing really well from the front. Sylla almost nicks the ball from Felipe, who was being a bit ponderous on the ball, but the striker's touch is too heavy.
4'
GOAL!!! Alaves score only their second goal of the season to take a surprise early lead! Duarte floats in a corner towards the far post and captain Laguardia makes a late run to head it home.
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Goal
V. Laguardia
Deportivo Alavés
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Goals1
On target1
2'
Alaves appear to be switching between a 4-4-2 and 3-4-3 early on, with Navarro tucking in at right wing-back at times. Will be interesting to see if this continues.
1st Half
1'
KICK-OFF: Alaves get the game underway.
12:53
On this day last year, Luis Suarez joined Atletico Madrid from Barcelona!
It's safe to say it hasn't gone too badly!
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Image credit: Eurosport
12:45
Some Atleti fans are disappointed to see Geoffrey Kondogbia risked after missing the Getafe win due to an ankle injury.
12:24
HEAD TO HEAD
Alaves fans, look away...
Over the past 5 years Alaves and Atletico Madrid have played 10 times and Alaves haven't won a single time, losing 7 of those games and drawing 3.
12:18
ATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS
Diego Simeone makes four changes himself after his side's 2-1 win versus Getafe on Tuesday thanks to Luis Suarez's late brace.
Changing from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2, Rodrigo de Paul and Geoffrey Kondogbia join the midfield at the expense of Hector Herrera and Angel Correa, while Mario Hermoso and Felipe enter in defence in place of Renan Lodi and Jose Gimenez.
12:11
ALAVES TEAM NEWS
Javi Calleja makes five changes to the XI who started Wednesday's 1-0 away loss to Espanyol.
Misfiring strike duo John Guidetti and Joselu are both replaced by Miguel de la Fuente and Mamadou Sylla.
Ximo Navarro - typically known as a right-back - comes in on the right side of midfield, while Toni Moya enters the XI to face his old team, who he left for Alaves in the summer.
Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga coming in for another former Atletico player, Alberto Rodriguez in central defence, is the only other change.
12:04
Remember this screamer from former Alaves striker Lucas Perez against Atletico Madrid?
The two sides drew 1-1 that evening.