Deportivo Alavés snatched a 1-1 draw deep into stoppage time against Málaga at Mendizorrotza on Saturday. Substitute Aitor Mañas headed home the equaliser in the 89th minute, cancelling out Adrián Niño's first-half opener for the visitors.
The Basque side dominated the match statistically, firing off 18 shots to Málaga's mere 7. Only four of those efforts were on target, however. Possession and initiative belonged to Alavés, but the final touch eluded them until the dying moments.
Match details
Adrián Niño had given Málaga the lead in the 44th minute, capitalising on one of their few forays forward. The Alavés response was relentless in the second half, creating chances but repeatedly being thwarted by the visiting defence. The leveller finally came from Mañas's powerful header following a cross from the flank, sparking relief around the ground. The point keeps Luis García Plaza's side in mid-table with 14 points from 11 matches. Their next challenge is a tough trip to face Atlético de Madrid next weekend, a fixture already listed on the upcoming schedule.
| Statistic | Alavés | Málaga |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 18 | 7 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 3 |
| Possession (%) | 52% | 48% |
| Corners | 7 | 2 |
| Touches in opp. Box | 27 | 10 |
The team showed general defensive solidity, allowing few clear chances. However, the injury to full-back Ianis Hagi, who remains on the injuries list, is still a factor for squad depth. This result ends a run of two consecutive league defeats for Alavés as they look to build momentum for the demanding schedule ahead. Top scorer Samu Omorodion was unable to add to his tally this time. Manager Luis García Plaza praised his team's character for not giving up after the match. Meanwhile, Málaga, who earned a valuable point in their fight to move away from the relegation places, rued not being able to manage the final minutes. Málaga goalkeeper Dani Barrio was key with several decisive saves to preserve the lead until Mañas's goal.
