Oscar Sánchez will take charge of Valencia for the visit to Alavés in Matchday 6 of LaLiga, with Carlos Corberán’s spell having ended before the game. It gives Valencia a quick change of direction at a difficult moment, while Alavés arrive looking to respond after suffering their first defeat of the season in Santander on Saturday.
For Valencia, the immediate issue is stability. A caretaker appointment rarely gives a manager much time to reshape a team, and that is especially true when the next league fixture is already on the horizon. With a match at San Mamés coming up before the break, Oscar Sánchez must quickly settle the side and decide how much to change for a trip that already carries pressure.
Valencia's selection questions
The expected shape is the familiar 4-2-3-1, but the bigger question is which players can handle the turnaround and give the team enough control away from home. Valencia also arrive with a long injury list, which limits the options available to the caretaker coach and makes every selection feel more important.
The source context also points to a worrying pattern in Vitoria. Valencia have not scored in their last three visits to Vitoria in the top flight, which is a reminder that this is not an easy ground for them. That history matters even more now, because a new coach often has to make the team harder to beat before he can think about anything else.
Alavés still look competitive
Alavés may have lost in Santander, but they had started the season well and remain a side that can make life uncomfortable. At Mendizorroza, they are usually organised and disciplined, and that means Valencia cannot afford a slow start or a loose defensive display.
The match therefore becomes as much about tone as points. Oscar Sánchez is stepping into his first game in charge with limited time, a difficult away fixture and an upcoming trip to San Mamés all stacked together. For Valencia, this is a chance to steady the situation; for Alavés, it is an opportunity to make the caretaker era begin under real pressure.
