Nicolás Valentini has become an indispensable player for Deportivo Alavés' defence under Quique Sánchez Flores. The 25-year-old Argentine centre-back has taken the opportunity given to him by the coach and his adaptation process to LaLiga is progressing steadily.
Valentini, left-footed and 1.87 metres tall, joined the Basque club this summer from Boca Juniors on a contract until 2029. His international experience, which includes spells at Fiorentina and Hellas Verona in Italy, as well as a Copa Libertadores final with Boca in 2023, is helping him settle in quickly. In the three-centre-back system used by Quique, the Argentine prefers to operate on the left, leaving the central role for Ville Koski.
His practical, no-nonsense style, strong in duels and aerial challenges, has seen him gain importance in the Alavés backline as the weeks have passed. "The coach gave him the chance and the defender has taken it wonderfully, showing match after match that his adaptation period to LaLiga is going smoothly," explained Javier Alfaro.
This consolidation comes at a time when Alavés is seeking greater defensive stability after a run of inconsistent results. The team, seventh in the table with 11 points, is coming off a 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid on 10 October. Their record in the last five matches is one win, one draw and three defeats.
The trust placed in Valentini by Quique Sánchez Flores is seen as a key piece to correct the course. The team faces its next fixture on 18 October away to Celta Vigo, who are ninth in the standings, looking to get back to winning ways.
With Valentini as one of its new defensive pillars, Alavés aims to build a more solid foundation for the rest of the campaign. The player has three more seasons on his contract to continue growing at Mendizorroza.
More detail at Mundo Deportivo
