Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luis; Gabi (Gaitán 58’), Tiago (Fernando Torres 46’); Koke, Saúl Ñíguez, Carrasco (Correa 71’); Gameiro. 4-2-3-1.
Alavés: Pacheco; Kiko Femenía, Alexis, Feddal (Laguardia 12‘), Raúl García; Dani Torres, Manu García; Ibai Gómez, Krsticic (Camarasa 65’), Edgar Méndez; Toquero (Christian Santos 80’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 93. Gameiro (penalty). After Laguardia brought down Torres on edge of area.
1-1. 95. Manu García. Picked up ball outside area and struck long shot past Oblak.
Yellow cards: Edgar 87’, Ibai Gómez 88’, Laguardia 91’.
Atlético Madrid faltered on the opening weekend of the season, a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Alavés on Sunday leaving them already two points adrift of title rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. Simeone’s side totally dominated the match, but for once they were unable to take advantage of any of their twenty corners, normally a sure source of goals. Tiago, Koke and Gameiro all had shots saved by Fernando Pacheco, Gabi and Gameiro fired shots wide, and Carrasco hit the post shortly before the break. And after the interval Pacheco saved again from Godín and Gameiro, and Fernando Torres hit the upright again. Gameiro appeared to have won it for the locals at last when he converted a hotly disputed penalty in time added on after Torres was fouled by Laguardia on the edge of (outside of?) the area, but visiting team captain Manu García fired home the equalizer just seconds before the final whistle. “El Glorioso” are back in the big time!