The 2016/17 season was one to remember for Deportivo Alaves. Not only did the newly promoted side finish in ninth place, but they also reached their first ever Copa del Rey final, losing out to Barcelona by a 3-1 scoreline. When they had just secured promotion, the board took the decision last summer to sack promotion-winning coach Jose Bordalas, aware that his style of football would have limited success in La Liga. It may have been a harsh decision, but it has proven to be a wise one, with incoming coach Mauricio Pellegrino able to improve this team tactically, making Alaves expert at playing 4-2-3-1 and 5-4-1, with the team able to switch between these two formations with ease. That meant that they could defend well against the most dangerous attacking sides, as they did when they beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou, and that could go on the offensive when taking on some of La Liga’s smaller fish.
As for the players making up these formations, Alaves majorly benefited from loan deals this year. Atletico Madrid’s promising left-back Theo Hernandez had a breakout season on the left flank, Real Madrid’s Marcos Llorente strutted his stuff in midfield and Levante’s Deyverson scored the goals up front, contributing with seven strikes and with a whole lot more in terms of his ability to hold the ball up and to press defences. With those players missing, it could be tougher for Alaves to replicate this great season, while their success has also led Pellegrino to leave the club in search of a bigger job.
