Alavés breaks its 5-game losing streak with a narrow victory over Mallorca

A hard-fought battle at the Mendizorrotza Stadium

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, Deportivo Alavés and RCD Mallorca faced off at the Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, in a highly anticipated La Liga match. The game was a close and intense affair, with both teams battling hard for the win. In the end, Alavés emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 scoreline, breaking their five-game losing streak in the process.

First half

The first half of the match was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Alavés had the better of the possession, but Mallorca looked dangerous on the counterattack. The best chance of the half fell to Alavés forward Miguel De la Fuente in the 20th minute, but his shot was well saved by Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajković.

Second half

The second half started in a similar vein to the first, with both teams struggling to break down the other's defense. However, Alavés eventually found the breakthrough in the 65th minute. Luis Rioja's cross found Joselu in the box, and the striker made no mistake with a clinical finish. Mallorca pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Alavés held on for a vital victory.

Post-match reaction

Alavés coach Luis García Plaza was delighted with his team's performance. "We played very well today," he said. "We controlled the game and created the better chances. We deserved to win." Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre was disappointed with the result, but he praised his team's effort. "We played well today," he said. "We created some good chances, but we couldn't take them. We need to learn from our mistakes and move on."