In-form Atlético visit Alavés as Sørloth returns after 55 days out

📰 Atlético, who beat Real Madrid just before the break, restart their league campaign away at Alavés. 📌 Key points 🏟️ Kick-off is 4.15pm local time on 10 October at Mendizorrotza in Vitoria. 📈 Atlético are second on 16 points after three straight league wins. 🧱 Sixth-placed Alavés have conceded only six goals in seven games. 🔙 Sørloth is back in group training after 55 days out. 🔄 With Manchester United up next in the Champions League on 13 October, rotation is possible. 📝 What happened 📈 Atlético have won three league games in a row to sit second on 16 points, including a 2-1 derby win over Real Madrid before the break. They are five points behind leaders Barcelona. 🔙 Striker Alexander Sørloth rejoined group training on 5 October, 55 days after a muscle injury was announced on 12 August. He has yet to make his season debut. Ademola Lookman, back from Nigeria duty, is also training again. 🤔 The attack is Simeone's headache. According to Esto es Atleti, Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David were playing international matches until the early hours of Wednesday, Spanish time, and will be tired. David is in the best form, having scored in three straight matches. 🩹 Álex Grimaldo is a doubt with muscle fatigue from international duty. Lee Kang-in was taken off with an ankle problem against Uzbekistan for South Korea but said it was "not serious". 📊 By the numbers • Atlético: P7 W5 D1 L1, 16 points (2nd) • Alavés: 11 points from seven games (6th), six conceded • Sørloth: back in group training after 55 days out 👀 What to watch 🇰🇷 Lee Kang-in — the club's player of the month for September. Korean fans will want to see whether he shakes off the ankle worry and starts. 🧱 The Alavés wall — they drew 0-0 with Athletic Club last time out and have let in only six in seven. How Atlético break them down is key. 🔄 Simeone's choice — with United three days later, he may save his first-choice forwards. Esto es Atleti even raised the idea of playing without a recognised number nine, pushing Baena and Lookman forward. 🔙 Sørloth's season debut — after almost two months out, he could get his first minutes off the bench. 🔭 Why it matters Atlético are chasing Barcelona, five points ahead. Dropped points on the road would widen the gap, and Manchester United follow three days later. Kick-off is 4.15pm CEST on Saturday 10 October (11.15pm KST) at Mendizorrotza.