The miracle of Deportivo Alavés continues: Three wins in a row and they host FC Barcelona next

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For Deportivo Alavés to be in mid-table in LALIGA EA SPORTS is a miracle. That's because Los Babazorros weren't even supposed to be in Spain's top division this season.

In the 128th minute of last season's LALIGA HYPERMOTION playoff final second leg, it was Levante UD and not Deportivo Alavés who were set to win promotion, however a 129th-minute Asier Villalibre penalty earned the Basque side the most miraculous of triumphs and a ticket to the top tier.

The miracle has continued since then and the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz have climbed up to 11th place in the standings, sitting a comfortable 10 points ahead of the relegation zone. Despite having the shortest off-season of any club and despite having the third-youngest squad in the division, Deportivo Alavés are competing well and exceeding expectations once more.

Coach Luis García Plaza deserves credit for this. The 51-year-old coach went viral at the end of 2023 for his furious reaction on the touchline as his side conceded a 92nd minute goal to Lucas Vázquez in a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid. The very next matchday, Deportivo Alavés suffered another late blow, as a 96th minute Martín Zubimendi goal denied Los Babazorros what would have been a memorable victory away at Real Sociedad, with that game ending 1-1.

Despite those setbacks, Luis García Plaza was able to rally his troops and Deportivo Alavés won their following three matches, their best run of the season. Away at Sevilla FC it was the Basque outfit who kept their cool late on this time, to win 3-2 with a 90th minute Rubén Duarte header, before they won 1-0 at home to Cádiz CF and thrashed UD Almería 3-0 on the road last Friday night. Those nine points collected in 15 days could make all the difference at the end of the season, as Deportivo Alavés aim to complete this season's mission of avoiding relegation.

In Luis García Plaza, Deportivo Alavés have a realist as a coach and he pointed out that there is still a long way to go. In a recent press conference, he stated: "We're doing well now, but be aware that we will go through another bad run. We must remain optimistic and work hard. The good thing, and what will allow us to continue to grow, is that we have learned to be solid and united defensively."

That defensive solidity will be put to the test this Saturday, when they host FC Barcelona at the Estadio Mendizorroza in Matchday 23. In the previous meeting in Catalonia, Samu Omorodion gave Deportivo Alavés the lead after just 17 seconds but the Basque side ultimately lost 2-1. Since then, they've evolved a lot and will feel confident when they step out on to the pitch against Xavi's side, backed by one of the loudest home crowds in Spain.

The 19-year-old striker Omorodion is continuing to play well and scored two of his team's goals in the victory over UD Almería. And, in recent weeks he has been joined in attack by Giuliano Simeone, the 21-year-old son of the Atlético de Madrid coach who has just recovered from a major injury suffered in pre-season. Then there is January signing Carlos Vicente, the 24-year-old winger who arrived from Racing de Ferrol and who immediately became a starter.

With other young players, such as 21-year-old centre-back Rafa Marín or 23-year-old defensive midfielder Antonio Blanco, also contributing excellent performances, this is a Deportivo Alavés squad with a solid present and an even brighter future. They have the joint-best record of any LALIGA EA SPORTS team so far in 2024, with 10 points from four games, the same as Girona FC, so this weekend's Deportivo Alavés vs FC Barcelona clash is absolutely one to watch.

(Excerpt from Agency)