Deportivo Alavés's unbeaten start to the La Liga season is over. Quique Sánchez Flores's side lost 2-1 at Racing Santander's El Sardinero stadium, surrendering an early lead in the process.
The visitors started brightly and took the lead in the 18th minute through Ville Koski. Racing Santander hit back before half-time, with Iñigo Vicente setting up Yassir Zabiri for the equaliser. Zabiri struck again eight minutes into the second half to complete the turnaround.
Alavés pushed for a response, making second-half substitutions including Nicolás Valentini, Toni Martínez and Mañas. They dominated possession and registered 16 shots but could not find a second goal past the Racing keeper.
Manager's reaction
Head coach Quique Sánchez Flores called for immediate focus on the next challenge. "Alavés has no choice but to turn the page and rely on Mendizorroza to prepare for Tuesday's clash against Valencia," he said after the match. The defeat is their first in five league games, a run that included a 5-2 thrashing of Osasuna.
Despite the loss, Alavés remain second in the table with 10 points from four matches, just two behind leaders Barcelona. They have scored 10 goals and conceded only three so far this campaign. Their next test comes quickly, with a home game against bottom-placed Valencia on Tuesday. The team's perfect home record this season will be on the line.
The squad is still without the injured Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodriguez. The players now have less than three days to regroup before another key fixture at Mendizorroza.
