Alavés vs Celta Preview: A High-Quality Football Clash Awaits in Upcoming Match

Reencounter with Quality Football in Mendizorroza

Deportivo Alavés and Celta de Vigo meet this Saturday in Mendizorroza for the 13th round of LaLiga EA Sports. Both teams aim to showcase solid football under their respective coaches Eduardo Coudet and Claudio Giráldez, who previously worked together at Celta’s youth academy and first team.

Alavés returns home confident after securing 11 of their 15 league points on their turf. The team boasts a resilient defense, ranking among the least scored against in the league, despite struggling to convert numerous offensive chances.

Coudet faces defensive challenges due to the suspension of Facundo Garcés and technical exclusion of Nikola Maras. Versatility in the squad helps him adapt as Jon Pacheco partners with Nahuel Tenaglia in central defense. Jonny Otto and Yusi complete a backline expected to maintain stability if injuries and bookings are avoided.

In midfield, Antonio Blanco and Denis Suárez form a solid pair, though jitters persist regarding wing positions. Calebe and Carlos Vicente compete for the right flank, while Carles Aleñá and Abde Rebbach vie for the left side. The offensive line is spearheaded by Lucas Boyé, who collaborates closely with Toni Martínez.

On their journey to Vitoria, Celta aims for a third consecutive away victory, a feat they last achieved nearly eight years ago. The previous long streak happened in the 2017-18 campaign under Juan Carlos Unzué’s leadership. Coudet nearly matched that record in 2020-21 with wins over Huesca and Alavés before drawing with Cádiz.

Celta incorporates players familiar with both clubs. Among them, only Jonny Otto faces Celta for the first time since leaving the club in 2018. The duel marks the second encounter between Giráldez and Coudet, with their initial meeting at Mendizorroza ending in a draw.

Starting Lineups and Key Facts

1. Alavés Starter: Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Yusi; Blanco, Denis; Calebe, Rebbach, Toni Martínez; Boyé.
2. Celta Starter: Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Mingueza, Sotelo, Moriba, Carreira; Aspas, Bryan Zaragoza, Jutglá.
3. Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (VAR: Mario Melero).
4. Alavés Ranking: 8th with 15 points.
5. Celta Ranking: 13th with 13 points.

Coach Coudet remarks, “The sensations are better than the number of points,” while Giráldez credits, “Chacho helped me a lot.” Notable absences include Garcés for Alavés, and Carlos Domínguez and Hugo Álvarez for Celta. Boyé and Javi Rueda are the prominent new arrivals.

This match promises an engaging contest rooted in tactical familiarity and a shared passion for attacking football. Fans expect Mendizorroza to witness a compelling clash where defensive solidity meets creative intent.