Athletic Club vs Alaves: Derby Form and La Liga Preview
Saturday's La Liga fixture at San Mames is a local derby between Athletic Club and Alaves. The match is scheduled for 19 September 2026 at 14:15 (…)

Alaves is the professional football representative of Vitoria-Gasteiz, carrying a blue-and-white identity rooted in the Basque Country. Its century-long story moves from early promotion landmarks to a celebrated European final, while Mendizorrotza remains a defining civic setting. The club’s profile combines local culture, national competition and the resilience associated with a side that has rebuilt across Spain’s professional divisions. This overview is recorded, preserving a concise portrait of Alaves at a significant point in its continuing history.
The 31-player Alaves squad spans six attackers, ten defenders, ten midfielders and five goalkeepers. The attacking group includes Toni Martínez, L. Boyé, M. Díaz and Miguel Rodríguez, while the defensive unit features Jonny, N. Tenaglia, N. Valentini and Yusi. Antonio Blanco, Carles Aleñá, Denis Suárez and Guevara provide notable midfield options alongside Selu Diallo and Pablo Ibáñez. Goalkeeping options include Sivera, Jesús Owono, R. Montero, A. Giménez and G. Swiderski. The list covers a broad positional spread with multiple options in every department of the team.
Eduardo Coudet is Alaves’ current head coach, with his tenure beginning on 1 December 2024. The Argentine coach followed Luis García, whose spell ran from May 2022 to December 2024. Julio Velázquez led the team briefly in spring 2022, after José Luis Mendilibar’s tenure from December 2021 to April 2022. Javi Calleja preceded Mendilibar, serving from April to December 2021. The timeline places Coudet at the head of the latest recorded coaching cycle by the latest recorded appointment.
| Coach | Coach country | Coach since | Coach until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Germán Coudet | Argentina | 1 December 2024 | |
| Luis García Plaza | Spain | 1 May 2022 | 1 December 2024 |
| Julio Velázquez Santiago | Spain | 1 April 2022 | 1 May 2022 |
| José Luis Mendilibar Etxebarria | Spain | 1 December 2021 | 1 April 2022 |
| Javier Calleja Revilla | Spain | 1 April 2021 | 1 December 2021 |
| Abelardo Fernández Antuña | Spain | 1 January 2021 | 1 April 2021 |
| Pablo Javier Machín Díez | Spain | 1 August 2020 | 1 January 2021 |
| Juan Ramón López Muñiz | Spain | 1 July 2020 | 1 July 2020 |
| Asier Garitano Aguirrezábal | Spain | 1 May 2019 | 1 July 2020 |
| Abelardo Fernández Antuña | Spain | 1 December 2017 | 1 May 2019 |
| Javier Antonio Cabello Rubio | Spain | 18 September 2017 | 24 September 2017 |
| Giovanni De Biasi | Italy | 1 September 2017 | 1 November 2017 |
| Luis Francisco Zubeldía | Argentina | 1 July 2017 | 1 September 2017 |
| Mauricio Andrés Pellegrino Luna | Argentina | 1 June 2016 | 1 May 2017 |
| José Bordalás Jiménez | Spain | 1 July 2015 | 1 June 2016 |
| José Ignacio González Sáenz | Spain | 1 June 2012 | 1 December 2013 |
| José Carlos Granero Granero | Spain | 1 October 2011 | 1 June 2012 |
| Luis de la Fuente Castillo | Spain | 1 August 2011 | 1 October 2011 |
| José Mel Pérez | Spain | 1 July 2003 | 1 June 2004 |
The recorded arrivals show a mixture of direct transfers, loans and returns from loan rather than a single movement type. N. Valentini arrived from Fiorentina, Miguel Rodríguez from Utrecht, Mikel Rodríguez from Real Sociedad and V. Koski from Istra 1961 in the summer window. The club also recorded loan returns involving Hugo Novoa, M. Diarra, A. Giménez, Selu Diallo and Jesús Owono, among others. V. Koski and I. Diabate had earlier loan arrivals recorded in February. No free-agent arrival is identified in this snapshot, which is capped rather than exhaustive.
| Player | Team from | Transfer type | Transfer date |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. Valentini |
Fiorentina
|
Transfer | 6 August 2026 |
| Miguel Rodríguez |
Utrecht
|
Transfer | 26 July 2026 |
| Mikel Rodríguez |
Real Sociedad
|
Transfer | 15 July 2026 |
| V. Koski |
Istra 1961
|
Transfer | 30 June 2026 |
| Adrián Pica |
Mirandes
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| V. Koski |
Istra 1961
|
Transfer | 29 June 2026 |
| A. Pica |
Mirandes
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| Ander Sánchez |
Aurrerá Vitoria
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| José de León |
Barakaldo
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| G. AlbarracÃn |
Istra 1961
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| Jesús Owono |
FC Andorra
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| Selu Diallo |
Cultural Leonesa
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| Tomás Mendes |
Alverca
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| A. Giménez |
Zaragoza
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| M. Diarra |
Anderlecht
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
Alaves’ departures recorded include transfers, free-agent exits, loans and returns to former clubs. Víctor Parada moved to Spartak Moscow and Asier Villalibre to Racing Santander, while Raúl Fernández and Jon Guridi were listed as free-agent departures. A. Pica and E. Munoz left on loan, with N. Maraš, M. Diarra and Hugo Novoa also appearing in earlier loan movements. Jon Pacheco, Calebe, V. Koski and I. Diabate were recorded as returns from loan. The listed movements form a capped snapshot rather than a complete departure total.
| Player | Team to | Transfer type | Transfer date |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. Maraš |
OFK Beograd
|
Free agent | 10 September 2026 |
| Jesús Owono |
FC Andorra
|
Free agent | 25 August 2026 |
| Jesús Owono |
FC Andorra
|
Free agent | 24 August 2026 |
| M. Diarra |
Al Wahda FC
|
Transfer | 18 August 2026 |
| Álvaro García |
Villarreal II
|
- | 12 August 2026 |
| N. Maraš |
OFK Beograd
|
Free agent | 11 August 2026 |
| Álvaro García |
Villarreal II
|
- | 11 August 2026 |
| Adrián Pica |
Penafiel
|
Loan | 13 July 2026 |
| Víctor Parada |
Spartak Moscow
|
Transfer | 13 July 2026 |
| A. Pica |
Penafiel
|
Loan | 13 July 2026 |
| José de León |
Ponferradina
|
Free agent | 7 July 2026 |
| José de León |
Ponferradina
|
Free agent | 6 July 2026 |
| Raúl Fernández |
Leganes
|
Free agent | 6 July 2026 |
| Ander Sánchez |
Real Unión
|
Free agent | 30 June 2026 |
| Julen Lartitegi |
Arenas Getxo
|
Free agent | 30 June 2026 |
The recorded 2026 movement pattern is varied but clearly shaped by temporary registrations and player circulation. The incoming sample combines four listed summer transfers with a larger group of loan returns, while earlier February entries include two loan arrivals. On the outgoing side, the summer record includes a transfer to Spartak Moscow, a move to Racing Santander, free-agent departures, loans and several returns from loan. The same player can appear in more than one dated movement, as shown by V. Koski’s earlier loan entry and later transfer arrival, so the entries should be understood as transactions across time rather than a simple headcount. The arrivals and departures lists are capped selections, and no fee information is recorded for the movements described. They portray Alaves as managing a squad through a blend of permanent changes, temporary placements and returning loanees.
Alaves has recent recorded participation in La Liga, Copa del Rey and Friendlies Clubs through 2025. La Liga entries span 2016 to 2025, while the Copa del Rey is recorded from 2018 to 2025 and Friendlies Clubs from 2020 to 2025. These three competitions are the latest active parts of the club’s recorded competition profile, although the available years stop at 2025 rather than confirming a 2026 campaign. Segunda División appears as a historical 2022 entry, reflecting the club’s presence in Spain’s second tier during that recorded season. The profile therefore combines a sustained top-flight record with cup and friendly participation.
Alaves is a Spanish football club from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Álava in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it has built a distinctive identity around local belonging, blue-and-white colors and a reputation for resilience. Supporters commonly know the club as El Glorioso, while Babazorros is another cherished nickname linked to the region’s agricultural heritage. The blue-and-white striped home tradition gives the club a clear visual character within Spanish football.
Mendizorrotza Stadium has been Alaves’ home since its opening in 1924. The ground is known for its intimate atmosphere and sits close to the city center within a wider sports complex. Its long association with the club makes it an important part of Alaves’ civic identity, not merely a match venue.
The club’s history reflects the movement between Spain’s professional divisions. Alaves became the first club to win promotion from Segunda División to La Liga in 1930, an early landmark in its national story. Its most famous international achievement came in 2001, when it reached the UEFA Cup Final in its debut European season. The 5–4 defeat by Liverpool remains one of the competition’s most memorable finals. Domestically, Alaves also reached the Copa del Rey Final in 2017, reinforcing its reputation as a capable challenger beyond the traditional elite.
Alaves operates within the Baskonia-Alaves Group, the multisport organization associated with Saski Baskonia basketball. The group’s majority stake in 2011 formed part of the club’s modern governance and financial continuity. On the field, the club has often combined experienced leadership with emerging players and loan pathways, reflecting a developmental ecosystem alongside first-team competition. Its recorded participation in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and other competitions underlines a club shaped by continuity, rebuilding and strong regional roots.
| match | shots | Poss. | Pass % | Fouls | Cards | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alaves
3 - 0
Getafe
|
8 / 18 |
|
81 | 16 | 4 | 2 |
|
Rayo Vallecano
1 - 1
Alaves
|
3 / 15 |
|
81 | 13 | 2 | 2 |
|
Alaves
1 - 0
Villarreal
|
2 / 9 |
|
74 | 15 | 3 | 6 |
|
Alaves
5 - 2
Osasuna
|
7 / 12 |
|
85 | 14 | 1 | 3 |
|
Racing Santander
2 - 1
Alaves
|
8 / 16 |
|
0% | 17 | 3 | 2 |
|
Alaves
0 - 1
Valencia
|
3 / 15 |
|
0% | 7 | 1 | 2 |
|
Athletic Club
0 - 0
Alaves
|
0 / 2 |
|
0% | 13 | - | 6 |
|
Alaves
1 - 2
Atletico Madrid
|
3 / 8 |
|
0% | 11 | 1 | 5 |
|
Celta Vigo
2 - 1
Alaves
|
9 / 20 |
|
0% | 17 | 1 | 1 |
|
Alaves
1 - 1
Malaga
|
4 / 18 |
|
0% | 14 | 2 | 2 |
Last rating points (most recent matches).
1st shirt
1st shirt
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5th shirt
1st shirt
2nd shirt
3rd shirt
5th shirt
1st shirt
2nd shirt
3rd shirt
Saturday's La Liga fixture at San Mames is a local derby between Athletic Club and Alaves. The match is scheduled for 19 September 2026 at 14:15 (…)