Alaves

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LaLiga

Round 16

Osasuna 2 - 2 Alaves

2024-12-08 18:30 More Reports

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LaLiga

Round 17

Alavesvs. Athletic Bilbao

2024-12-15 16:15:00 More Previews

Team details

Rivals	Athletic Bilbao, SD Eibar & Real Sociedad
Club Profile	Club Website Twitter: @Alaves Facebook: @DeportivoAlaves Address: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Cervantes Ibilbidea, 20, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain Nickname: Babazorros
Stadium	Alavés stadium is called the Estadio Mendizorroza, or Mendizorrotza in the local Basque language. With a capacity of just under 20,000, it is one of the smaller grounds in Spain’s top division, but it is also one of the most atmospheric and the closed corners contribute to this. It was opened all the way back in 1924, making it one of the oldest grounds in all of Spanish football. It hasn’t been majorly redeveloped since 1999, although there has been some talk in recent times of increasing the capacity.
Recent History	Alavés won Spain’s second division in 2015/16 to secure promotion back to the top flight, a division they hadn’t been in since 2005/06. Although José Bordalás was the coach who guided them back to LaLiga, he was dismissed at the end of that season and Alavés hired Mauricio Pellegrino for their first season back in the top flight. It proved to be a less crazy decision than it first seemed, as they finished ninth and went to the cup final. Pellegrino left in the summer of 2017 and they’ve struggled to settle on one coach to lead a continued project since then. The club is generally on a positive track, though. It’s owned by the group that also owns the Baskonia EuroLeague basketball team and some of the off-the-field work that they do is really impressive and is setting the club up for the future.
Distance Matrix	Distance Matrix

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Season Guide

2024/2025

Alaves

In

Tomas Conechny (att) Godoy Cruz; Asier Villalibre (att) Athletic Club; Stoichkov (att) Eibar; Moussa Diarra (def) Toulouse; Hugo Novoa (def) RB Leipzig; Manu Sanchez (def) Celta Vigo; Luka Romero (mid) AC Milan

Out

Miguel de la Fuente (sp) (att) Leganes; Andoni Gorosabel (k) (def) Athletic Bilbao; Unai Ropero (sp) (mid) Eldense; Alex Balboa (sp) (mid) Almere City; Ruben Duarte (r) (def) Universidad Nacional; Alan Godoy (sp) (att) Eldense; Javi Lopez (r) (def) Real Sociedad); Joseda Alvarez (sp) (def) Sestao; Xeber Alkain (sp) (att) Eibar

Alaves proved their doubters wrong by finishing 10th last season, securing a top-half finish after winning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking under Luis Garcia Plaza. Losing full-backs on either side to their Basque rivals has damaged Alaves' defensive plans, but they have strengthened with promising talents further forward and replaced those who have left in defence with players who know what it takes to play at this level. This team does create chances, only three sides outside the top four generated more expected goals last season, and the return of Asier Villalibre and Stoichkov, who scored 12 in the second tier for Eibar, should help to finish more of those chances. There is room for improvement in their away form. They ranked 15th for form on the road last season, and know that they won't always be able to rely on home form to help them climb the table. Only one other side in LaLiga lost more games and avoided relegation last year. The continuity of Luis Garcia Plaza and his system will be key to integrating his new players, and a smooth start to the fixture list means that he'll be able to build some momentum before the autumn.

Target

Consolidating in mid-table. Last season was above expectations, but the squad should have the quality and experience to steer clear of entering into a real relegation battle.