Espanyol managed to secure their first away victory of the season on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with a narrow 1-0 win against Deportivo Alavés at the Mendizorroza Stadium. This pivotal match not only marked the club's first triumph on the road but also served as a significant morale booster as they aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
The victory came late in the game, courtesy of midfielder Fernando Calero, who scored the decisive goal with just four minutes remaining. Álvaro Tejero delivered a well-placed free kick to the penalty area, allowing Calero to rise above Alavés defenders and head the ball past goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. "The goal can be worth its weight in gold, but we still had to suffer to secure our first away win of the season," commented Calero after the match.
Throughout the match, both teams exhibited cautious tactics, particularly evident during the opening 15 minutes when neither side was able to carve out significant scoring opportunities. Espanyol, under the guidance of head coach Eduardo Coudet, fielded the same starting eleven which held Athletic Club to a draw, indicating his faith in the lineup's resilience and ability to continue improving.
On the other hand, Alavés, led by coach Manolo González, entered the game with pressing concerns, having not won at home since November of the previous year. The stakes were high for both clubs, as Alavés faced the prospect of falling even closer to the relegation zone if they were unable to secure points against their rivals.
The first half saw several exchanges, with most attempts stemming from Alavés' left flank through their captain Carles Aleñá, yet Espanyol’s defense held firm. Despite some bright attacking moments for Alavés, which included several shots from Kike García and Toni Martínez, it was Espanyol’s defense, particularly goalkeeper Joan García, who shone as he made several key saves to keep the match level.
After the halftime break, Alavés came out with renewed vigor and pressed for control of the midfield. García’s goalkeeping was pivotal, denying Aleñá’s threatening shot just shy of the hour mark. Yet, Espanyol’s disciplined defensive play began to wear down the home side’s confidence, allowing them to regain some attacking momentum as the match neared its conclusion.
With time running out, the visitors switched to a more defensive formation to protect their slim lead. This strategy, paired with calculated counter-attack opportunities, eventually paid off as they earned the corner kick leading up to Calero’s goal. This late surge effectively turned the tide of the game, frustrating Alavés and sending their supporters home disheartened.
Reflecting on the performance post-match, Coudet praised his players for their gritty resolve, emphasizing how the win not only brought them much-needed points but also instilled confidence moving forward. Meanwhile, Alavés' González lamented the missed chances and the familiar pitfalls of allowing late goals, which has become all too routine for the Vitoria side. "Since Coudet's arrival, Alavés has become the team with the most straightforward chances to score against them, conceding with nearly every fifth shot on target," remarked one analyst from El Correo, underscoring the tactical issues facing the home side.
For Espanyol, this victory is more than just three points; it marks the beginning of what they hope will be a turnaround season, pushing them five points clear of the relegation zone. Looking forward, the club aims to build on this success and secure their place within LaLiga EA Sports next season. Meanwhile, Alavés finds themselves at a crossroads, needing urgent improvements if they are to break free from the clutches of relegation anxiety.