Player Ratings: Deportivo Alavés 1-0 Atlético Madrid

Oblak

Poor set piece marking again doomed Atlético Madrid’s skipper on Saturday. In the fourth minute this time, opposing captain Víctor Laguardia buried a header from a corner to give Alavés the lead for good. 6

Savić

Caught ball-watching as Laguardia outworked him on the opening goal. 5

Felipe

A strange choice to start over a fit José Giménez, and it backfired early — he gave away the corner that led to Laguardia’s goal. It didn’t get better for him after that. 3

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Hermoso

Too much wayward passing early from the spacious pocket he likes to occupy on the left. He improved as the game moved along, but Diego Simeone eventually turned to natural left back Renan Lodi in his position. 6

Trippier

Hardly noticed him in the first half, with only a handful of dangerous deliveries around the Alavés penalty area. Picked up a yellow card while stopping a second half counterattack and was removed soon after. 4

Carrasco

Only experienced success in the first half when he cut inside, as he routinely saw two defenders lurking when he tried to bound up the left flank. 4.5

Llorente

Better performance, more insistent, attempted a team-high three shots. But he has been disconnected from Trippier and has to go hunting around the area more often, leaving Atlético imbalanced structurally. 6

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Kondogbia

Straight back into the 11 following his recovery from an ankle injury. Held the midfield together virtually on his own in the first half, completing 95 percent of his passes and two dribbles. The ball just stopped too often at his feet, though, as he’s not the dynamic, progressive passer in Thomas Lemar’s mold that the team needs right now. He was booked early in the second half and will miss next week’s clash with FC Barcelona. 6.5

De Paul

Kept dropping into defense to pick up the ball in the first half when Simeone wanted him to hunt for it further forward. Hoofed hopeful ball after hopeful ball into the box with no payoff. 5

Griezmann

Another unrecognizable display from the Frenchman, who is only going to find form with more minutes but is a net-negative in those minutes. Ángel Correa really should be starting over him. 3.5

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Suárez

Tried to participate more in buildup and force the issue, but he managed just one shot attempt as his teammates consistently failed to work around a packed defense. 4.5

Lodi

Replaced Carrasco in the 59th minute. The ideal game for him — playing in a four-man defense and able to take loads of touches. Instead, he completed only 12 passes and zero crosses. 3

Correa

Replaced Trippier in the 59th minute. Instantly added something because of his ability to twist and squirm through tight spaces — the only kind on offer in Alavés’ defense. Had Atlético’s first shot on target in the 69th minute, but Fernando Pacheco stopped him. 7

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Cunha

Replaced Kondogbia in the 59th minute. Swung a boot at a Suárez headed pass with around 15 minutes left — had he connected, it probably would have been a goal. 5

Herrera

Replaced Hermoso in the 61st minute. Passed tidily and accurately, as can be expected, but only magnified how badly this team misses the injured Koke. 5.5

Vrsaljko

Replaced Llorente in the 74th minute. Could not replicate his Getafe heroics. N/A