Deportivo Alavés are dreaming big after their best La Liga start in years, having taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their first five matches. Under manager Quique Sánchez Flores, the Vitoriano side sit third in the table, just two points behind leaders Barcelona, and have surprised everyone with a blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair.
The numbers tell the story: 11 goals scored and only five conceded, a +6 goal difference that reflects both organization at the back and clinical finishing up front. Their most recent result, a 2-1 loss to Racing Santander on September 12, is a minor blip in an otherwise impressive run of form, LWWDW over the last five games (three wins, one draw, one defeat).
Quique Sánchez Flores summed up the mood with a simple but telling quote: "Life is a dance, and you've got to dance". His words capture the belief in the dressing room, where players like Ángel Pérez and Mariano Díaz are exceeding expectations. Pérez, operating on the right wing, has already registered three assists, while Díaz has contributed three goals and three assists in just 168 minutes of play.
Up front, Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez lead the line, though their output has been inconsistent. Boyé, despite not being the top scorer, has been involved in key moments, such as the 5-2 win over Osasuna on September 6, where he scored twice and provided another assist. Martínez is still working to reach his peak after a disrupted pre-season.
Summer signings have left their mark. Mikel Rodríguez arrived from Real Sociedad for around €2 million, with a buy-back clause valid for four years, but suffered a torn ACL in training that will sideline him for months. Miguel Rodríguez, signed for €5 million and contracted until June 2031, is the club’s second-most expensive signing ever, behind only Lucas Boyé, yet has played barely five minutes due to poor pre-season conditioning.
Nicolás Valentini, brought in from Fiorentina for €3 million and tied to the club until 2029, has only played ten minutes so far, hampered by a late arrival and lack of match fitness. In contrast, Ville Koski returned permanently from NK Istra on a contract running until 2031 and a fee of approximately €500,000, becoming a reliable presence in midfield.
Departures shaped the summer too: Guridi left on a free transfer to Sevilla, while Víctor Parada was sold to Spartak Moscow for €8 million. These moves reflect a strategy of squad renewal and financial balance without sacrificing competitiveness.
Tactically, Alavés have settled into a 5-3-2 formation that balances defensive cover with attacking width, use wing-backs and two strikers to create overloads in advanced areas. The Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, a city of just over 250,000 residents, has become a fortress where the team has made the most of its home advantage.
Looking ahead, Alavés host Valencia at home on September 15. The visitors, currently twentieth in La Liga, present an opportunity to keep climbing the table and cement this season’s surprise start. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page and track squad developments in the squad section.
The goal now is clear: maintain consistency, avoid disruptive injuries, and keep growing as a unit. The upcoming match isn’t just about points, it could determine whether Alavés’ European dream begins to take real shape.
