Atleti booked their place in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 in midweek with a 4-1 play-off round second-leg victory over Club Brugge, but a trip to Oviedo shone a light on their disappointing La Liga away form.
Even against the league’s basement club, the visitors’ record of just three wins in 12 league games on the road this term suggested things might not be straightforward here, and that proved to be the case in the first half.
Before the interval, Diego Simeone’s men failed to register a single shot on target, looking nothing like the side that had scored 11 goals in their previous three competitive matches.
Oviedo, meanwhile, belied their recent poor form that had seen them win just one of their previous eight league games.
Federico Vinas was the first man to test either goalkeeper, firing into Jan Oblak’s chest with a chipped attempt, before the Slovenia international produced two fantastic stops within seconds of each other just before the break.
First, he tipped over Ilyas Chaira’s header from point-blank range, and then got down well to his right to push Alberto Reina’s low drive away from the goal.
After the restart, Atleti created more opportunities, but Aaron Escandell remained untroubled between the home sticks. Oviedo also caused danger on occasion, although Oblak was also a relative passenger - the closest the Carbayones came to breaking the deadlock was when Vinas’ shot from outside the area flew over the crossbar.
Overall, though, there was a distinct lack of quality from both sides, with veteran Oviedo man Santi Cazorla unable to provide inspiration when introduced from the bench with around 10 minutes remaining.
A goalless draw seemed inevitable, but right at the death, Alvarez stepped up for his side.
The Argentina international had been ineffectual since his introduction from the bench, yet he popped up with a composed left-footed finish from inside the area to secure the points for the visitors.
The results sees Atleti move nine points clear of Real Betis in fifth, therefore consolidating their place in the top four. In contrast, Oviedo remain eight points adrift of safety and are running out of time to secure their top-flight status.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
