Alaves vs Atletico Madrid

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Deportivo Alavés 

• Attacking reliance on Kike García (13G, 0A in 2,554 mins) → veteran finisher, but limited pace. 

• Carlos Vicente (5G, 5A, 3,099 mins) adds wing creativity, while Guridi and Blanco are industrious midfielders. 

• Defensive minutes shared across Tenaglia, Abqar, Mouriño, but no standout top-tier CB. 

• Antonio Sivera in goal (32 starts) gives continuity. 

• Overall quality: steady but heavily reliant on Kike García for goals; creative burden on Vicente and Guridi. 

Atlético Madrid 

• Star trio of Julián Álvarez (17G, 4A), Griezmann (8G, 7A), and Álex Baena (7G, 9A) (though doubtful). 

• Isolated playmakers: De Paul (left), Llorente (right), Barrios (center) ensure strong midfield balance. 

• Sørloth (20G, 2A) adds firepower from the bench but is a legitimate starter-quality scorer. 

• Defensive core: Oblak, Le Normand, Giménez (injured), Lenglet. 

• Overall quality: far superior individual star power, especially in attack, even with absences. 

2. Departures Impact

Alavés 

• Several squad pieces out: Manu Sánchez (LB), Abdel Abqar (CB), Sedlar → weakens depth in backline. 

• Attack lost Tomás Conechny and Rebbach, lowering wing depth. 

• Impact: Already a thin squad, now more stretched. 

Atlético Madrid 

• Lost Rodrigo De Paul, Correa, Azpilicueta, Reinildo (listed out). 

• This reduces experienced cover but frontline depth remains strong with Almada and Sørloth. 

• Impact: Some veteran leadership lost, but star names still lead XI. 

3. New Player Integration

Alavés 

• Joan Jordán (5G, 2A) adds goals from midfield. 

• Carles Aleñá (2A) provides technical balance. 

• Stoichkov (0G, 1A) and Facundo Garcés strengthen rotation but limited output so far. 

• Overall: Good experience injected, but no game-changers. 

Atlético Madrid 

• Álex Baena (7G, 9A) has been highly productive but doubtful. 

• Thiago Almada (1G, 4A) adds creative spark. 

• Hancko & Pubill in defense bring younger depth. 

• Overall: New arrivals add depth without disrupting the Griezmann–Álvarez–Sørloth attacking trident. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Alavés 

• Kike García (13G) is the primary scoring outlet. 

• Carlos Vicente (5G, 5A) and Guridi (3G, 1A) provide secondary contributions. 

• Very little output from CBs or FBs → goal reliance almost exclusively on front 2–3. 

Atlético Madrid 

• Álvarez + Sørloth combined 37G → elite firepower. 

• Griezmann (15 G/A) and Baena (16 G/A) give multi-line threat. 

• Even squad players (Murphy-like role: Giuliano Simeone, Riquelme) chip in. 

• Wide spread of contributors makes them far less predictable. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Alavés 

• Bench: Martín (2G, 2A), Conechny (1G), Stoichkov (0G) → some rotation but no reliable scorers. 

• Defensive subs like Garcés and Adrián Pica are more for cover than game impact. 

• Sub strength: light, unlikely to change matches. 

Atlético Madrid 

• Sørloth (20G, 2A) often rotates but is a starter-level striker. 

• Thiago Almada, Samuel Lino, Conor Gallagher add technical quality and energy off the bench. 

• Depth in attack far surpasses Alavés. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Atlético Advantage: Attack loaded with Álvarez, Griezmann, Sørloth. Even if Baena misses out, Almada/Lino step in seamlessly. 

1. Alavés Challenge: Limited scoring variety; must rely on García–Vicente link-up. Defense likely under siege from multiple angles. 

1. Likely Flow: Atlético dominate possession and chance creation; Alavés absorb pressure, looking to spring García and Vicente. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Deportivo Alavés: ★★☆☆☆ (Below average) — solid defensive workers but too reliant on García for goals. 

• Atlético Madrid: ★★★★☆ (Strong) — elite firepower and depth, even with Baena/Giménez doubts. 

Projected Result: Atlético Madrid to win comfortably (likely 2–0 or 3–1), controlling tempo and outscoring a limited Alavés frontline.