Atlético win 1-2 at Mendizorroza thanks to Grimaldo and Cuti Romero, making it back-to-back away victories in LaLiga. Baena continues his stunning start to the season with another assist.
Grimaldo and Cuti Romero scored to secure all three points at Mendizorroza. Boyé pulled one back from the spot for Alavés, but Atleti held on for consecutive away wins in LaLiga.
Grimaldo and Cuti added to an already league-leading tally of defender goals. Baena now has 6 goal contributions in 8 LaLiga games — one more than his entire output last season in 27 appearances. Cuti himself singled out Baena's outside-of-the-boot cross as the decisive moment.
Simeone named a XI with more rotation than expected — Barrios returned to the starting side, while Julián Álvarez was surprisingly left on the bench alongside Hancko, Pubill and Kang-In. Grimaldo was passed fit and started despite the knock picked up on international duty.
All 16 internationals returned fit and trained normally. Sorloth and Barrios were included after their injury absences. The only notable omissions were Vargas and Mendoza.
The club's official account posted a sarcastic congratulations to Real Madrid for proving '100% of the world's medical community was wrong' over Valverde's Grade 3 sprain recovery. It went viral and was picked up across media. Classic Atleti.
Kang-In Lee took home both the LaLiga Goal of the Month for August and the Fútbol Mahou Player of the Month award for September. The Korean winger described the club's family atmosphere as key to his form.