Julian Alvarez scored for the second game running as Atletico Madrid ground out a 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna at the Metropolitano on Saturday, moving Diego Simeone's side second in La Liga and within two points of leaders Barcelona on the eve of the Clasico.
It was not pretty, and for 45 minutes it was barely even convincing. But Atletico have made a habit of winning these games this season — this was their eighth win from ten league matches, and the ninth time in ten that they have scored first. On a weekend that ends with Barcelona hosting Real Madrid, three ugly points may prove to be the most valuable kind.
Oblak Kept Atletico Level Before The Break
Deportivo arrived in Madrid having lost only twice all season, and they played like a side who believed they belonged. The visitors created the best chance of a flat first half when Yeremay Hernandez's free-kick was parried by Jan Oblak and the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to deny Lorenzo Amatucci on the rebound, as Flashscore recorded. There were whistles from the home crowd as Atletico laboured, with Lee Kang-in and Morten Hjulmand both firing over.
Simeone acted at half-time, sending on Robin Le Normand for Ademola Lookman — the Nigeria winger had been energetic in the first half on his tenth La Liga appearance of the season — and Giuliano Simeone for Pablo Barrios. Three minutes later, the game changed.
Alvarez Is Winning The Metropolitano Back
Alejandro Grimaldo fired a dangerous low ball towards the far post and Alvarez turned it over the line for the only goal of the game, his second in two matches after opening his account for the season in the midweek 1-1 Champions League draw at Stuttgart.
The context matters. Alvarez tried to force a move to Barcelona in the summer and was hounded by Atletico supporters in his first appearances of the season, as AFP reported. The tension has gradually cooled, and goals like this are why. The former Manchester City striker nearly doubled the lead after Alex Baena slipped him through, only for Depor goalkeeper Leo Roman to save his attempted lob with his face, while substitute Alexander Sorloth lashed narrowly over as Atletico chased a killer second.
They nearly paid for missing it. In stoppage time Kevin Sanchez volleyed wide from Adama Traore's cross when well placed, and with virtually the last kick of the game Oblak saved from Sanchez on his own line. Atletico's unbeaten run now stands at eight games in all competitions, and the foundations of their earlier winning streak are holding firm.
So What: The Clasico Now Carries Atletico's Shadow
Atletico end the night two points behind Barcelona and four ahead of Real Madrid, who sit third. That makes Sunday's Clasico a match neither giant can afford to lose: Barcelona know a win stretches their lead at the top, while defeat for Jose Mourinho's Real would leave them seven points off the summit and four behind their city neighbours with the season's momentum running red and white.
For Simeone, the equation is simpler. His side have done their job before the Clasico rather than after it, and they can watch Sunday's game knowing the result helps them either way — a draw most of all.
Beyond the Final Whistle: This is what a title challenge actually looks like. Not the 4-0 statements, but the 1-0 on a flat Saturday night when your goalkeeper saves you twice, your once-unwanted striker scores again, and you wake up on Clasico morning as the team both giants are suddenly chasing. Alvarez's redemption arc is becoming Atletico's season in miniature — doubted in August, decisive in October. Can Simeone's side really go all the way this time, or will the Clasico winner reassert the old order? Let us know in the comments.
