Alaves 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Atleti’s luck runs out as Javier Calleja’s side pick up first win of season

La Liga strugglers Alaves condemned reigning champions Atletico Madrid to their first loss of the season with a 1-0 win at home on Saturday afternoon.

The result also marked Alaves' first win of the season after going into this game rock bottom of the table with only one goal in their run of five losses prior.

Alaves' fourth-minute goal took Atleti completely by surprise, as Ruben Duarte's corner towards the far post was headed home by captain Victor Laguardia, who made a late run into the box before putting the Basque side a goal ahead.

Losing in this manner might give Atleti and their manager Diego Simeone a necessary wake-up call because in spite of their good start to the season results-wise, they have rarely convinced in the process.

Rodrigo De Paul's free kick that was denied by Laguardia's goal line clearance shortly after half-time and Angel Correa's near post shot that was kept out by Fernando Pacheco were the away side's best chances to score, but Alaves had the better chances overall even though they had much less possession.

Atletico Madrid have a big week to follow, facing AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting a Barcelona side in crisis on Saturday.

After an underwhelming couple of seasons at Barcelona, much was made about the return of Griezmann to a club where he bagged 133 goals across five seasons, with fans hopeful that he could rediscover his best form.

Unfortunately for them, it's been the complete opposite story. In a dysfunctional Atletico Madrid team, they have struggled this season whenever the Frenchman has been on the pitch.

Some fans have even mockingly suggested that Griezmann is 'cursed' due to his seeming inability to win a La Liga title.

Simeone has a difficult task trying to piece together this puzzle.

Alaves winger Luis Rioja had a strong candidacy for this, who was a constant threat with his pace, dribbling and directness, but it's simply impossible to see past Captain Fantastic, Victor Laguardia. The 31 year-old centre-back helped his side withstand constant Atletico Madrid pressure as well as leading by example with a goal line clearance and the only goal of the game.

Alaves: Pacheco 8, Duarte 8, Navarro 6, Miazga 7, Laguardia 9, Martin 7, Moya 7, Loum 6, Rioja 8, de la Fuente 6, Sylla 6...Subs: Joselu 6, Pellistri 6, Pina 5, Rodriguez 6, Garcia N/A

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 6, Hermoso 7, Felipe 5, Savic 6, Carrasco 6, Trippier 6, De Paul 7, Kondogbia 7, Llorente 6, Griezmann 5, Suarez 5...Subs: Correa 6, Cunha 5, Lodi 6, Herrera 6, Vrsaljko 6

4' - GOAL!!! Alaves score only their second goal of the season to take a surprise early lead! Duarte floats in a corner towards the far post and captain Laguardia makes a late run to head it home.

53' - OFF THE LINE!! De Paul delivers a free kick from the right flank near the byline and the cross somehow evades everyone and appears to be on its way into the goal until the goalscorer and captain Laguardia heads it off the line to instigate a counter attack.

59' - WHAT A MISS!! Duarte takes a throw in from the left hand side and it trickles through to Loum, who barges his way into the box past Felipe and thunders a shot high above the goal from point blank range.

69' - SAVED!! Amidst the sea of bodies in the box, De Paul threads it through to Correa and the Argentinian's shot from a tight angle is denied by the legs of Pacheco.

77' - CHANCE!! Alaves go close twice! A lofted pass finds Moya after Felipe completely misjudges its flight then Moya's cutback is cleared by Vrsaljko to an Alaves player who sends it straight back in for Joselu to volley over the bar.

81' - BIG CHANCE!! Alaves waste another opportunity to seal the win! Rioja dribbles past multiple defenders, cuts inside and picks out the unmarked Pina, who fires his shot over the bar from close range with what I think is his first touch of the game since coming on a few minutes ago.

90' - SAVED!! De Paul sends a dangerous ball into the box and it's unclear whether it's a cross or shot as it forces Pacheco to scramble back towards his line to keep De Paul's effort out.