Atletico Madrid had less ball than usual but better chances

Julián Álvarez's goal shortly after the restart was enough for Atletico Madrid, who won with less of the ball than usual but with better chances.

Atletico Madrid usually have most of the ball, and this time they had less than they are used to. Their share of possession came to 56%, below the 60.1% they average at home this season. Possession is simply how long each side keeps the ball, and a side without it is usually the side defending. Atletico still beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, and the way they did it is the story.

The difference lies in the chances. Expected goals, or xG, scores each shot by how likely it was to become a goal, and Atletico's total of 1.41 was above their usual 1.1. They also took more shots than they normally do, yet only four of their efforts were on target. Most of them came from distance, with 14 from outside the box and just six from inside it, so their better chances were not simply their most numerous ones.

Deportivo had less of the ball still, 44% against the 47.9% they average away from home. They were the side that got into the penalty area more often, with 9 shots inside the box, more than Atletico managed. Their xG of 1.29 was also above their own average of 1.14, which means their chances were better than usual. They still went home without a goal, and the league averages 3.1 goals a match, so one goal is a quiet return by any standard.

The only goal came from Julián Álvarez, who was set up by Alejandro Grimaldo shortly after the restart. Álvarez was Atletico's standout, rated 8.2, and his four shots, two of them on target, made him their main threat. Adrià Alti won nine duels for Deportivo and was rated 7.2, but that work did not translate into a shot that beat the goalkeeper. Duels are simply the contests for the ball, won by the player who wins possession of it.

Nobody was sent off, but the discipline tells its own story. Atletico picked up four yellow cards, three of them between the 85th and 87th minutes, while Deportivo received two. Atletico usually concede chances worth 1.18 expected goals at home, and Deportivo's were above that level. J. Oblak kept a clean sheet and was rated 7.8, and Atletico's home average of 0.9 goals conceded is now one game closer to zero.

The table places the result in context for both sides. Atletico are second with 22 points from nine matches, seven of them wins, and they have won five of their last six. Deportivo are tenth on 11 points, with two wins, five draws and two defeats from nine games. Deportivo have taken one win from their last six, and they had a chance to move up the table here.

Atletico remain second, while Deportivo stay tenth.

Player of the matchJ. Álvarez1 goal8.2

Álex Grimaldo1 assist8.0

J. Oblak5 saves7.8

D. Hancko1 chance created7.7