Antonio Blanco is more important than ever for a Deportivo Alaves enjoying their best-ever start to a season. The 25-year-old midfielder has played every minute of their four La Liga games, serving as a pillar in the centre of the pitch for Quique Sánchez Flores's side.
The Vitoria-based club sits second in La Liga with 10 points, just one behind Barcelona, after a start of three wins and a draw. This return, with 10 goals scored and only three conceded, surpasses any previous beginning in the club's history. Blanco was named La Liga's Matchday MVP in the win over Villarreal and his performance in the 5-2 victory against Osasuna was statistically dominant.
An indefatigable engine
In the triumph over Osasuna, Blanco completed 54 of 58 passes, a 93% success rate. Of those, 10 of 11 reached the final third and he connected on 6 of 7 long passes. His physical output included 10.4 kilometres covered and a top speed of 33.7 km/h. These numbers follow a previous season where he made 372 recoveries and 54 interceptions, establishing himself as the team's top ball-winner.
His influence extends off the pitch. With over 40 games wearing the captain's armband, he is the youngest player with that responsibility in all of La Liga. He arrived at Mendizorroza in January 2023 from Real Madrid, where he was part of the squad that won the Champions League and La Liga, bringing a winning mentality to the Alaves dressing room.
Focus on football
In recent comments, the player himself has made his absolute concentration clear. "When it closes, it closes. Now, only football," said Antonio Blanco, referring to the closure of the transfer window and his commitment to the project. The team faces its next challenge on Saturday, hosting Valencia, who are bottom of the table.
The absence of major injuries, aside from Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodriguez who remain under medical supervision, allows Sánchez Flores to plan with stability. The collective performance, with a five-match unbeaten run (3 wins and 2 draws), is built on figures like Blanco. To follow the team's progress and their league position, visit our standings section.
