Aitor Mañas rescued a point for Deportivo Alaves with a stoppage-time goal that secured a 1-1 draw against Malaga at Mendizorroza. The substitute's late strike cancelled out the first-half opener scored by Adrián Niño for the visitors. This result from Saturday 23 October confirms the team's difficult recent run, which now reads zero wins, two draws, and three losses in their last five league matches.
The match, corresponding to the tenth round of LaLiga EA Sports, saw the home side dominate possession early but lack a cutting edge. Alaves's best chance before the break was a header from Toni that Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso saved brilliantly. From the ensuing scramble, however, the ball fell to Adrián Niño, who made no mistake to put the visitors ahead.
Alaves manager Quique Sánchez Flores made second-half substitutions to push forward in search of an equaliser. The pressure finally told in the 89th minute when Mañas arrived in the box to poke home and spark celebrations in the stands. "How alert he was to the rebound after Alfonso's spectacular save from Toni's header following Ángel's cross!" the goalscorer said after the final whistle.
The result leaves Alaves seventh in the standings with 11 points, extending their run to two consecutive league draws. The team has a record of three wins, two draws, and four losses from their nine games played, having scored 13 goals and conceded 10. Their next challenge is a formidable one: a trip to the Camp Nou to face league leaders Barcelona on Saturday 31 October, a match where Alaves faces a 16-point gap to the top side.
Against Malaga, Antonio Sivera was the captain and starting goalkeeper, while Antonio Blanco and Nahuel Tenaglia started in midfield and defence respectively. For the visitors, Adam Aznou and Carlos Dotor, the latter booked, were key figures. Striker Luis Rioja, the team's top scorer this season with five goals, also featured and received a yellow card. Alaves will aim to end their poor away form, winless since September, in the daunting fixture that awaits next week.
More detail at Mundo Deportivo
Málaga manager Funes denounced the refereeing in Alavés's equalizer on Saturday. "We see that, in their goal, he clearly steps on Recio," said the coach, who stated there was a clear foul before Aitor Mañas's 89th-minute goal. Alavés, seventh with 12 points, visits leaders Barcelona on Saturday the 31st.
Alavés recorded clear offensive superiority in the draw against Málaga, according to official LaLiga statistics. Quique Sánchez Flores's team made 18 shots, with 4 on target, compared to 7 and 3 from the visitors. They also had 12 shots inside the box and 7 corners. The club, seventh with 12 points, is on a five-game winless run.
Alavés have scored 14 goals and conceded 11 this season, according to verified data. The team, seventh with 12 points, is on a run of five games without a win. Their next opponent is leaders Barcelona, whom they visit on Saturday the 31st.
