Deportivo Alavés returns to competitive action at Mendizorroza against Getafe after a long preseason stretch that included six weeks of work and four friendly matches without a loss. For the club, it is more than just the start of a new league outing: it is a return to its home ground after almost three months without a match there.
The build-up has given Quique Sánchez Flores a chance to shape the team’s approach, and the signs so far have been encouraging. The unbeaten run in friendlies does not guarantee anything once the competition begins, but it does suggest that Alavés arrives with a base of continuity and a clearer structure than many teams have at this stage.
Defensive absences complicate the plan
Even so, the match comes with an important issue for Alavés to manage. Garcés is unavailable, and Nicolás Valentini is suspended, which leaves the defensive pool less settled than the club would like for a home return of this kind. That situation could push Quique Sánchez Flores to adjust his options, including the possibility of using converted fullbacks if needed.
The context is especially notable because Alavés has kept a relatively stable group. The club has made only four signings, including the permanent continuity of Koski, and that emphasis on continuity has helped shape the preseason. At the same time, limited movement in the market also means the current squad has less margin if absences pile up in one area.
Against Getafe, the immediate question is simple: can Alavés turn a steady preseason into a strong competitive start at Mendizorroza? The answer will depend not only on the form it carried through four unbeaten friendlies, but also on how well it handles the defensive reshuffle forced by the missing players.
