Stuttering Start for Simeone’s Revamped Squad
Atletico Madrid will travel to the Estadio de Mendizorroza on Saturday, August 30, 2025, desperate to secure their first win of the 2025/26 La Liga season against a resilient Deportivo Alaves. Despite a massive summer overhaul that saw the club spend €181 million on ten new players, Diego Simeone’s side has had a frustrating start, collecting just one point from their opening two matches.
Los Colchoneros began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Espanyol and followed it up with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Elche. This slow start has left the title hopefuls languishing in the bottom half of the table, currently sitting in 13th place. Manager Diego Simeone has urged for patience, insisting the team is “on the right path” as new signings integrate into the squad. Key arrivals include striker Giacomo Raspadori, who joined from Napoli for €26 million, alongside talents like Thiago Almada, Álex Baena, and David Hancko, who are all expected to play significant roles this season.
Alaves’ Formidable Home Record
While Atletico struggles to find its footing, Deportivo Alaves has had a mixed but respectable start under manager Eduardo Coudet. The team, which successfully avoided relegation last season after Coudet’s arrival in December, kicked off the new campaign with a 2-1 victory over Levante before suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Betis. Currently in 9th place, Alaves will be confident heading into the clash, particularly given their recent home form against the Madrid giants.
According to information from digitaltrendstoday.com, Alaves has proven to be a formidable opponent for Atletico at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. They are unbeaten in their last three home matches against Simeone’s side in La Liga and, remarkably, have kept a clean sheet in all three of those encounters. This defensive solidity at home could prove crucial against an Atletico attack that is still finding its rhythm.
Team News and Key Absences
Both managers will have to contend with injury concerns ahead of the match.
- Deportivo Alaves: The hosts will likely be without winger Hugo Novoa, who is doubtful due to physical discomfort. They have also been active in the transfer market, bringing in striker Lucas Boye from Granada for €5.8 million and Mariano Diaz on a free transfer to bolster their attack.
- Atletico Madrid: The visitors will be without key defender José Giménez, who is sidelined with a muscle injury until early September. New signing Álex Baena is also a major doubt with physical discomfort. On a positive note, midfielder Pablo Barrios has recovered from a minor injury and is available for selection.
Match Outlook
The upcoming fixture presents a classic clash of narratives. On one side, a heavily-invested Atletico Madrid is under immense pressure to deliver a performance worthy of their expenditure and kickstart their title challenge. Forwards like Alexander Sorloth and Julián Álvarez will be expected to break down a disciplined Alaves defense.
On the other side, Deportivo Alaves will look to leverage their strong home advantage and organized defensive structure to frustrate the visitors once again. While Atletico Madrid remains the favorite on paper, their recent struggles and Alaves’ impressive head-to-head record at home suggest that securing all three points will be a significant challenge for Simeone’s men. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM BST.
