We fell to defeat in Mendizorroza on a difficult night. It was a first half where nothing went right and the score at halftime of 1-0 could have been even more. Isaac went off injured after a collision with Joan Jordán in the tenth minute. Soon after Nyland was unable to keep out a Carlos Vicente's shot. Soon after Stoichkov made it 2-0 but fortunately it was ruled out for offside as we struggled to create any chances in the first 45 minutes.
Carlos Martín made it 2-0 just after Saúl had a good chance to equalise
The second half was not much better than the first, except for a good chance that Saúl had in the 58th minute to equalise. Our captain couldn't find a way past Sivera and, in the following play, Carlos Martín made it two-nil for the home side after converting a rebound off the crossbar. Nyland, a minute later, avoided it becoming 3-0 in a one-on-one with Stoichkov. With the match entering its final phase, Saúl came up with a great assist for Lukebakio, who curled into the top corner to give late hope.
In the end it would prove in vain as Alavés held on for the three points. Next up we host Real Valladolid next Tuesday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.