On Sunday afternoon, Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club played to a tense 1-1 draw at Mendizorroza, continuing the trend of closely contested matches seen throughout the LaLiga season. The result maintains Alavés' slight cushion above the relegation zone, as they aim to establish stability under their newly appointed coach, Eduardo Coudet.
Alavés began the match on the back foot but managed to equalize after falling behind early. The Athletic Club struck first when Unai Gómez netted the opening goal just ten minutes in, capitalizing on a well-timed through ball from Iñaki Williams. Gómez executed his shot with precision, placing it beyond the reach of Alavés' goalkeeper, Antonio Sivera. The goal, described as “a perfect strike” by coverage of the event, was reflective of Athletic's aggressive approach earlier on.
"We came out strong and made our intentions clear," Athletic's coach, Ernesto Valverde, remarked post-match. His side maintained solid control over the game during the first half, carefully managing their chances but not converting the pressure they applied.
Meanwhile, the reactions from Alavés were initially subdued. Coudet's side struggled to penetrate Athletic's defense, especially with Carlos Vicente and Kike García often isolated and under pressure. The half concluded with Athletic enjoying the upper hand, significantly aided by the early lead.
After the break, Alavés displayed renewed vigor, pushing forward with greater intent. Gradually, their efforts bore fruit. The equalizer came around the 67th minute when Joan Jordán took advantage of a rare error from goalkeeper Unai Simón, who misjudged a shot from Guridi. The ball rebounded softly, and Jordán reacted quickly to slot it home, making the score 1-1.
"We were determined not to give up,") said Jordán following the match. "It was important for us to respond and find our footing, especially after getting behind so early." This goal signaled Alavés' resurgence, allowing them to regain some confidence.
The latter stages of the match were intense, with both teams seeking the winning goal. Athletic had what appeared to be the game-winner from Vivian late on, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Alavés' defender Mouriño during the buildup, sparking furious protests from the Athletic players. Valverde commented, "It’s frustrating to have a goal disallowed, especially when you feel in control, but sometimes these decisions don’t go your way."
Despite their late-game pressure, Athletic was unable to find the net again, and the contest ended level. The result marks the end of Athletic's impressive six-match winning streak across all competitions, but they remain firmly entrenched within the competition's upper echelons.
For Alavés, the point gained against such formidable opponents is valuable as they continue to evade the relegation struggle. "We’ve got to take positives from this outing to build our confidence moving forward,” Coudet noted. By securing this draw, Alavés moved two points clear of the relegation zone, providing them some breathing room as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including a key match against another struggling side, Valencia, next week.
Statistics from the match reflect the performances of both teams, with Athletic dominating possession for large stretches but failing to capitalize on several opportunities. They recorded ten shots compared to Alavés' six, but with fewer on target, showcasing their inefficiency on the day. Meanwhile, both sides were hit with several bookings; Alavés’ Blanco and Tenaglia received yellows, along with Athletic’s Adama Boiro and Yuri.
Overall, the 1-1 outcome between these fierce rivals highlights both the potential pitfalls of Athletic's early lead and the resolve demonstrated by Alavés to come back, making for another thrilling chapter in the basque derby lore.
This match epitomizes the competitive nature of LaLiga, where teams continue to fight fiercely for every point. With the draw, both clubs will now look to the next round of matches, eager to achieve their respective goals as the season rolls on.
