As Diego Simeone retains celebrating Atlético Madrid victories, Zinedine Zidane continues to search for solutions to Actual Madrid’s struggles. Atlético defeated Valencia 1-0 for a sixth win in a row within the Spanish league on Saturday, whereas Madrid misplaced to Alavés 2-1 at dwelling for its third straight setback, dropping six factors behind the town rival and having performed one additional sport.
“I don’t have a proof,” Zidane mentioned. “We haven’t been constant. We have to change this dynamic.”Lucas Pérez scored within the first half and Joselu within the second after a blunder by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for mid-table Alavés.
Madrid was left in fourth place, six factors off the lead. Casemiro scored their lone aim within the 86th. Atlético’s earlier victory put Simeone’s crew tied on factors with chief Actual Sociedad with a sport in hand. Sociedad hosts third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
Madrid additionally misplaced Eden Hazard due to an obvious harm within the first half, the newest harm woe for the Belgium ahead who was making solely his fifth begin this season.
“Hopefully it was only a knock and never a muscle harm,” Zidane mentioned.
Madrid defeated Inter Milan within the Champions League midweek however was coming off two consecutive setbacks within the league. It has solely seven wins in 14 matches this season.
“We have to maintain working onerous and alter issues round,” Zidane mentioned.
Alavés had drawn three straight video games, together with 1-1 with Barcelona at dwelling whereas taking part in with 10 males.
“It was a deserved victory,” Alavés coach Pablo Machín mentioned. “We may have scored much more objectives. We had probably the most vital scoring possibilities. I’m very proud.”Pérez opened the scoring 5 minutes into the match from the penalty spot after a handball inside the realm by Madrid defender Nacho Fernández.Courtois gave away the second aim within the forty ninth after his go from the again to Casemiro got here out too weak and was intercepted by Joselu, who despatched a low shot into the open web from exterior the realm.
Casemiro pulled Madrid nearer late from shut vary. The very best likelihood to equalize got here when Francisco “Isco” Alarcón hit the crossbar within the sixth minute of stoppage time.
A Diego Maradona jersey was put alongside the Actual Madrid reserve gamers, and a second of silence was noticed earlier than the match as a tribute to the Argentina nice who died this week.
ATLÉTICO’S STREAKAtlético Madrid defeated Valencia with an own-goal by Valencia defender Toni Lato within the 79th minute. Victory prolonged its profitable streak to 6 matches within the Spanish league.
“Luck additionally performs a job typically,” mentioned Atlético midfielder Yannick Carrasco, who got here into the match within the second half. “It’s all the time onerous to play right here, so we’re completely satisfied to have gained.” Atlético is but to path within the league and stays the one unbeaten crew. It hasn’t misplaced in 25 league matches, going again to final season.
Coach Diego Simeone was moved by a pre-match tribute to former Argentina teammate Diego Maradona at Mestalla Stadium.
“I believed it was necessary to say one remaining goodbye by applauding him,” Simeone mentioned.
Valencia dropped to eleventh place after failing to beat Atlético for a twelfth straight time within the league since 2014.
OTHER RESULTSSevilla beat Huesca 1-0 for its fifth victory in a row in all competitions. Huesca stays the one winless crew within the Spanish league.
Elche and Cádiz drew 1-1 in a match between promoted golf equipment. Elche performed a person from first-half stoppage time after scorer Lucas Boyé was despatched off for a second yellow card