Report: a superb Sorloth goal seals it for Alavés | OneFootball

Atlético de Madrid won the first match of the second round (1-0 against Alavés), suffering a bit at the end of the match for not finishing when they could, but the most important thing was the three points earned at home against the Basque team.

The team was not very accurate in front of the goal, despite having created chances, and they didn't suffer in defense, controlling the match well. However, it is also true that at the end of the match, with the score tight at just one goal, the visitors did have a phase of pressure with chances that could have forced a draw.

In the first half, Atleti only had clear chances in the final stretch of the first period, with a phase of corner kicks and chances saved by the Alavés defense, which unfortunately did not result in a goal to calm the team, going into halftime with an advantage.

Otto headed a shot from Julián Alvarez to a corner in the 42nd minute, the team's coral defense saved up to three point-blank shots in the 47th, and Pubill was also close to scoring in the third minute of added time after a corner kick, completing an offensive sequence without reward for the red and whites.

GREATER INTENSITY IN THE SECOND HALF AND THE REWARD OF THE GOAL

The second half brought greater intensity from Atleti, pressing and creating chances as soon as the second 45 minutes began. Sorloth was about to score in the 47th minute, after a cross from Barrios to the heart of the area, which the Norwegian failed to finish on goal, missing that first chance, although later the connection between both players would work.

That goal would come in the next attempt between both players, with a great cross to Sorloth's head, who put a lot of power into the ball and crossed it past the goalkeeper, making his stretch impossible and achieving the goal, which ultimately meant three points for Atleti. Being the shot almost from the penalty spot and with a cross without much power, Sorloth invented a shot that unlocked the situation the match was going through.

Afterwards, there were chances thwarted by Sivera, such as Barrios' spectacular play in the 58th minute, trying to assist Almada who did not overcome the Alavés goalkeeper, which might have been Atleti's best chance in the second half (apart from the goal) and would have avoided nerves at the end of the match.

If this chance was clear, Baena's shot in the 69th minute was not far behind, putting a devilish curl from the edge of the area, which crashed against the post.

And with these missed chances, Alavés tried to fight until the end, and in the last minutes, Boyé had a couple of chances that did not trouble Oblak because his shots were not on target, but they were clear chances to have tied the match.

The best thing is that the three points stay at home, and now it's time to think about the Champions League and Galatasaray.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.