Alaves Revive Survival Chances with Crucial Win Over Valencia Amid Relegation Battle

Deportivo Alaves significantly boosted their chances of surviving in LaLiga with a hard-fought 1-0 home triumph over Valencia, bringing an end to Carlos Corberan’s impressive unbeaten streak of 10 matches.

After stringing together an unbeaten run of 10 matches (W6, D4), Valencia, now poised to vie for a return to European football for the first time in five years, started the match with great intensity, almost taking the lead right from the outset.

Luis Rioja, making his first appearance back at the Mendizorroza since parting ways with the club where he made 189 appearances, nearly haunted his former team with a brilliant strike that forced Antonio Sivera into a remarkable save at his near post.

The visitors did not relent in their efforts to find the net; just five minutes later, a last-gasp defensive clearance prevented a goal from Pepelu’s shot.

However, against the flow of the game, Alaves were denied a goal in the 16th minute when Giorgi Mamardashvili produced an outstanding one-handed stop to deny Jon Guridi’s close-range header.

Mamardashvili’s heroics continued as he managed to gather Nahuel Tenaglia’s long-range effort on his second attempt, having initially spilled the shot.

In a complete reversal of fortunes, it was Alaves who now pressured Mamardashvili, who had to make three saves in quick succession, including one to divert Ander Guevara’s powerful free-kick over the crossbar.

The home side was left frustrated as half-time arrived too soon, with Valencia’s diligent goalkeeper receiving a well-earned break after fending off another attempt, this time from Carlos Vicente.

Even though their relegation rivals Leganes were trailing 3-0 to Villarreal by half-time during Wednesday’s earlier match, Alaves understood that they could not depend on other results.

With that in mind, Alaves resumed their attacking intent nine minutes into the second half, as the tireless Mamardashvili managed to palm a header from Carles Alena around the post.

The home side’s tenacity paid off as Mamardashvili was soon forced into action again, this time tipping Antonio Blanco’s cross-turned-shot over the bar.

In a crucial moment of controversy, super-sub Joan Jordan clinched victory for Alaves with a penalty in the 79th minute. Although it appeared there was minimal contact, referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled, with the help of VAR, that Mamardashvili had impeded Santiago Mourino while trying to clear the ball.

In a repeat of the earlier encounter in December, the Sevilla loanee once again converted from the spot, handing Alaves a critical four-point cushion above the relegation zone with only two matches remaining this season.

Meanwhile, Valencia, despite this unexpected defeat, still maintain a slim chance of breaking into the top eight, taking into account their recent form at the Mendizorroza.