On Sunday, the match between Alavés and Elche kicked off at the Mendizorroza stadium, starting at 14:00 local time. For the home team, this game was an opportunity to end a disappointing run, as they had collected only one point from their last three matches. Meanwhile, the visitors from Elche, who remained unbeaten this season, aimed to secure their first away win and strengthen their position at the top of the table.
The Alavés coaching staff made changes in attack, starting Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé up front. Elche, meanwhile, left André Silva out of the starting lineup, with Álvaro Rodríguez stepping in to partner Rafa Mir in attack. The match was officiated by Miguel Ángel Ortiz, with Daniel Jesús Trujillo overseeing the video assistant referee system.
In the first half, the hosts managed to dictate play, pinning Elche back and creating several dangerous chances. However, they failed to convert their advantage into a goal. Elche responded with two shots on target, but neither side found the net. During the half, both teams suffered injuries: Alavés’s Calebe and Elche’s Diangana were forced off the pitch. The teams went into halftime with the score tied at 0-0.
This season, Alavés has stood out for scoring all their goals from set pieces. This strategy was once again evident in the game: the hosts actively used crosses and corner routines, putting pressure on the visitors’ defense. Elche, on the other hand, spent most of the time defending, struggling with aerial duels.
The second half of the match continued at a tense pace. Both teams tried tactical adjustments to find weaknesses in the opponent’s defense. The encounter was highly dynamic, with both sides fighting for the initiative. The intrigue remained until the final minutes: Elche sought their first away win, while Alavés hoped to please the fans and secure three points before the championship break.
