Photo: Wikimedia Commons (free licence), cropped and styled by SportNestra — author and licence
Atlético arrive with three consecutive wins behind them and occupy second place in the standings, as an alternative to Barcelona. They are welcomed by Alavés at Mendizorroza, where the home side are eager to return to winning ways. After several weeks without competition, both teams will also test their form following the international matches.
LaLiga’s return offers an early measure after the interruption: both sides need to find out where they stand after those weeks away from action. In the opening stretch of the season, Quique Sánchez Flores’ men had claimed three wins in four matches at Mendizorroza and will want to recapture that form.
Atlético, meanwhile, return to a city and stadium where they have struggled. In their last four visits to Mendizorroza, Simeone’s side have left without a win. That run adds another challenge to the trip, even as the club arrive in strong form and can call on their full squad for the first time this season.
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