Alavés vs Atlético: Quique and Simeone test momentum after the break

Alavés and Atlético meet at Mendizorroza to see how their momentum stands after several weeks without playing. Alavés arrive after their home run was halted by a loss to Valencia, while Atlético come in on three straight wins, sitting second in the table as an alternative to Barcelona.

Back to LaLiga

Quique Sánchez Flores warned about what happens if the level drops: “In the moment we lower the level, we move away from a happy season.” His side are trying to keep the early form that brought three wins in four at home, even with three league games without a win.

Diego Simeone, meanwhile, credited what he learned: “I thank Messi for what he taught us.” Atlético travel to a ground that has resisted them: in their last four trips to Mendizorroza they picked up two draws and two defeats, with no win since 2020/21, when Luis Suárez scored in the 90th minute.

Full squads, key decisions

Quique plans to rotate after the San Mamés derby. His main defensive doubt is the back line, where Jonny and Valentini could join Tenaglia. In midfield, Guevara, Aleñá and Denis are in contention alongside Antonio Blanco and Pablo Ibáñez, while Mariano has options to start with Toni Martínez. Simeone, in contrast, can use the whole group for the first time this season thanks to the returns of Sorloth and Barrios, though the international break could still shape the XI. The aim is clear: three points to keep pressure on Barcelona.