Quick Read
- Deportivo Alavés and Girona drew 2-2 at Mendizorroza Stadium in a La Liga match.
- Girona’s improved form is attributed to manager Michel Sanchez’s tactical shifts and new signings like Azzedine Ounahi and Vladyslav Vanat.
- Alavés relies on strong home defense but faces challenges in attacking output after Carlos Vicente’s departure.
- The draw impacts both teams’ efforts to avoid relegation in the 2025/26 La Liga season.
- Girona had recently defeated Barcelona 2-1, boosting their confidence before the Alavés match.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ (Azat TV) – Deportivo Alavés and Girona played to a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Mendizorroza Stadium in a crucial La Liga fixture, a result that offered both sides a valuable point in their ongoing quest for top-flight survival. The match, which saw Girona’s evolving attacking prowess meet Alavés’ resilient home defense, highlighted the tight margins defining the 2025/26 season’s relegation battle.
The draw came as Girona continued its recent ascent in the league, demonstrating a tactical shift under manager Michel Sanchez that has seen the team move away from relying solely on individual brilliance. For Alavés, currently embroiled in the lower half of the table, securing a point at home against an improving side was a testament to their defensive solidity, particularly in the first half of matches at Mendizorroza.
Girona’s Tactical Evolution in Focus
Girona’s 2-2 draw against Alavés underscored the significant strides the team has made in recent weeks, a transformation meticulously engineered by manager Michel Sanchez. His emphasis on a collective formula over individual heroics has begun to pay dividends, propelling Girona up the La Liga standings, reaching 11th place by late February 2026. This newfound stability contrasts sharply with their struggles last season, where they faced relegation threats after losing key players like Savinho and Artem Dovbyk, according to Football-España.
Central to Girona’s improved performance has been the strategic integration of new talents. Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has emerged as a pivotal figure, described as Girona’s ‘magnet’ for his ability to inject purpose and verticality into counter-attacks. His technical quality and capacity to control the team’s tempo have filled a void left by Aleix Garcia’s departure. Additionally, Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat has made an immediate impact, registering eight goals in La Liga by late February and forming a potent attacking trio with Viktor Tsygankov and Ounahi. Vanat’s calculated shots, often delivered in critical moments, have been instrumental in turning draws into victories, as seen against Osasuna and Mallorca.
While Girona’s attack has flourished, the draw against Alavés also highlighted persistent defensive concerns. Despite creating more chances than their opponents, conceding two goals marked only the second time in their last five matches that Girona allowed more than one goal. Manager Michel’s early season focus on strengthening the backline, where a lack of discipline often hampered the team, has shown progress. The central defensive partnership of Daley Blind and Vitor Reis has brought renewed organization, aiming to prevent the counter-attack vulnerabilities that plagued them earlier in the campaign.
Alavés Fights for La Liga Survival
For Deportivo Alavés, the 2-2 draw against Girona was a crucial result in their fight against relegation. Positioned 15th in the league with 26 points from 24 rounds prior to the match, every point is vital as the season progresses. Managed by Eduardo Coudet, Alavés has contended with limited resources and the mid-season departure of key winger Carlos Vicente, who joined Birmingham City, leaving a creative void. Vicente was one of only three players to have scored more than once for the Babazorros this season, alongside strikers Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé.
Alavés typically employs a 4-4-2 formation, with Martínez and Boyé forming a physically imposing partnership upfront. Their defensive solidity at home has been a notable strength, having conceded just three first-half goals at Mendizorroza all season. However, their attacking output remains a concern, particularly after Vicente’s exit. Despite these challenges, manager Coudet is expected to continue relying on his tried-and-tested formulas, with the midfield tasked with compensating for the absence of creative impetus. The team’s resolve was evident in their ability to hold a strong Girona side to a draw, a testament to their disciplined approach.
Implications of the Mendizorroza Draw
The 2-2 draw between Alavés and Girona carried significant implications for both clubs, reflecting their respective trajectories in the La Liga season. For Girona, the result, while not a win, demonstrated their continued evolution. The team’s ability to build through the center of the pitch under pressure, a confidence boost gained from their recent sensational 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona, was on display. The draw served as a reminder for Michel Sanchez’s side that complacency cannot be afforded, even as they climb the table.
For Alavés, earning a point at home against an in-form Girona was a morale booster, especially considering their challenging campaign. The match further reinforced the expectation of tight, low-scoring contests in their fixtures, with their home defensive record remaining a significant asset. The betting markets, prior to the match, reflected the fine margins at play, with Alavés being slight favorites, underscoring the perceived difficulty Girona faced at Mendizorroza.
The draw ultimately illustrates the ongoing tactical adjustments by Michel Sanchez and the resilience of Alavés under pressure, highlighting the intense competition within La Liga’s mid-to-lower table as teams battle for crucial points.