Deportivo Alavés enter the 2026/27 campaign with a rare commodity in modern football: continuity. Quique Sánchez Flores, who took over mid-season following Eduardo Coudet’s departure to River Plate and successfully steered the club to safety, finally has a full pre-season to mould the squad in his image. The club’s summer strategy has been deliberate and restrained: retain the core that secured survival, add targeted quality, and promote from within. This is the definitive guide to the current Alavés squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Quique Sánchez Flores
Tactical Philosophy: Sánchez Flores arrived in Vitoria with a mandate to bring order and identity to a squad that had lost its way under Coudet. His impact was immediate. The Madrid-born coach prioritises defensive structure, collective intensity, and intelligent pressing over reckless running. Alavés are among the lowest distance coverers in La Liga, a statistic that reflects Sánchez Flores’ preference for a compact block and zonal defending rather than chasing opponents across the pitch. “Quique asks us for a lot of intensity, that we press and that we play the ball,” explained defender Nahuel Tenaglia. “He wants us to have great intensity and for everyone to run.” In possession, the emphasis is on quick transitions to the front two, avoiding over-elaboration. Sánchez Flores has been clear about his ambition: he wants the team to be enjoyed by the fans, to avoid living “with the rope around the neck,” and to take a qualitative leap in points.
Preferred Formations: The 5-3-2 was Sánchez Flores’ emergency solution upon arrival, and it delivered survival. He has experimented with a 4-4-2 in pre-season, seeking greater width and attacking presence, but has retained the back three as a fallback. “We’re trying both systems,” Tenaglia noted. “Quique will decide, but we’re prepared to use whichever drawing.”
Strategic Transfer Activity
Alavés’ summer recruitment was measured and purposeful. The club prioritised retaining its key assets over wholesale change, with sporting director Sergio Fernández emphasising the promotion of academy talent alongside targeted additions. Four first-team arrivals were completed, headlined by the €2.5 million capture of Miguel Rodríguez from Utrecht.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miguel Rodríguez | Right Winger | Utrecht | €2.5m |
| Mikel Rodríguez | Central Midfielder | Real Sociedad | 50% ownership |
| Ville Koski | Centre-Back | Istra | Loan made permanent |
| Nicolás Valentini | Centre-Back | Fiorentina | Loan/deal |
Miguel Rodríguez’s arrival addresses Alavés’ need for pace and directness in wide areas. The 23-year-old Galician, who came through Celta Vigo’s academy, scored 10 league goals in 45 appearances for Utrecht and added two more in the Europa League. Onésimo Sánchez, who coached Rodríguez in Celta’s B team, described him as “a runaway horse” with “speed and goals, two priceless qualities in football.” Mikel Rodríguez joins from Real Sociedad, with Alavés purchasing 50% of his rights, a structure that reflects both the club’s financial reality and its belief in his long-term potential. The defensive arrivals of Koski and Valentini were necessitated by Facundo Garcés’ FIFA suspension, which rules him out until November, and the departure of Víctor Parada to Spartak Moscow.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Antonio Sivera (#1): The captain and undisputed number one. Sivera signed a contract extension in August, committing himself to Alavés until 2030 and ending speculation about a departure. The 29-year-old has made 179 appearances for the club since arriving from Valencia in 2017 and has been a model of consistency, described by the club as “a safe value” and “one of the players who best represent the identity” of Alavés. Valencia’s interest was real, but Sivera prioritised the confidence the club has always shown in him.
Jesús Owono (#13): The Equatorial Guinea international provides experienced cover, a capable deputy who has been with the club for several seasons.
Adrián Rodríguez (#): The young goalkeeper competes with Owono for the backup role, with the Frenchman Grégoire Swiderski also pushing from the B team.
Defenders
Nahuel Tenaglia (#14): The Argentine is a cornerstone of Sánchez Flores’ defensive structure. Tenaglia’s versatility—comfortable at right-back or in a back three—and his reading of the game make him indispensable. He has spoken eloquently about the manager’s demands, highlighting the emphasis on intensity and pressing.
Nicolás Valentini (#2): The Argentine centre-back arrived from Fiorentina to add physical presence and ball-playing ability to the defensive line. His Serie A experience provides valuable know-how for a backline that must compensate for Garcés’ absence.
Ville Koski (#): The Finnish defender made his loan from Istra permanent after a successful adaptation period. Sánchez Flores specifically sought “genuine centre-backs who can win aerial duels” rather than converted full-backs, and Koski fits that profile.
Facundo Garcés (#5): The Argentine centre-back is currently serving a FIFA suspension that will keep him out until November. His absence is a significant blow to the defensive depth, forcing Sánchez Flores to rely on Tenaglia and others to fill central roles.
Jonny Otto (#17): The experienced Spanish full-back provides cover on both flanks, his versatility and Premier League experience with Wolves adding quality to the squad.
Ángel Pérez (#7): The right wing-back is the primary outlet on the flank, his speed and crossing ability making him a key attacking weapon. He has already registered three assists this season.
Abde Rebbach (#21): The Algerian-born winger competes with Ángel Pérez on the left flank. His pace in behind is one of the few sources of sprints in a team that prioritises positional discipline.
Youssef Enríquez (#): The young left-back is developing within the first-team setup, competing for minutes in the wide defensive positions.
Midfielders
Antonio Blanco (#): The midfield “cornerstone” and the club’s most important contract priority. Blanco’s interception, passing, and tempo control make him the hub of Alavés’ play. His contract expires in 2027, and the club are desperate to renew him, though the sporting director has acknowledged that “the negotiation process will be competitive” given interest from other clubs. Retaining Blanco would be as significant as any signing.
Pablo Ibáñez (#19): The energetic midfielder provides the running and duel-winning that complements Blanco’s composure. His intensity is central to Sánchez Flores’ pressing structure.
Carles Aleñá (#10): The La Masia graduate offers creativity and technical quality in advanced areas. He can operate as an attacking midfielder or drift wide, and his set-piece delivery is a valuable asset.
Ander Guevara (#6): The experienced midfielder provides tactical discipline and stability, a reliable rotation option.
Denis Suárez (#): The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder adds another layer of technical quality and experience to the engine room.
Carlos Protesoni (#23): The Uruguayan signed a contract extension and offers versatility across midfield, his physicality and work rate making him a trusted squad member.
Mikel Rodríguez (#): The summer arrival from Real Sociedad, signed on a 50% ownership deal, represents a long-term investment. He is expected to gradually integrate into the first-team rotation.
Forwards
Toni Martínez (#11): The club’s talisman and primary goalscorer. Martínez scored 14 La Liga goals and three more in the Copa del Rey last season, numbers that were instrumental in securing survival. The 29-year-old is at the peak of his powers, and his partnership with Lucas Boyé is the foundation of Alavés’ attacking threat.
Lucas Boyé (#15): The Argentine striker forms an indispensable partnership with Martínez. Boyé’s physicality, pressing, and link-up play create the space for Martínez to exploit. When fit, he is undroppable.
Mariano Díaz (#): The former Real Madrid forward has been revitalised under Sánchez Flores, who “restored his confidence.” Mariano provides a proven goalscoring alternative and has already registered three assists this season.
Miguel Rodríguez (#): The summer signing from Utrecht adds pace and directness to the attack. He can play on either wing or as a second striker, and his left foot is a genuine weapon.
Aitor Mañas (#): The academy forward has impressed Sánchez Flores and appears set to make the permanent step up from the B team. His development is one of the club’s bright spots.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Antonio Sivera
The goalkeeper is the first captain and a symbol of the club’s identity. Sivera’s decade-long association with Alavés, his consistency, and his decision to commit his future until 2030 have cemented his status as a leader on and off the pitch.
The Leadership Committee: Nahuel Tenaglia, Antonio Blanco, and Toni Martínez provide leadership across the squad. Tenaglia’s articulate presence and Blanco’s centrality to the team’s function make them natural voices in the dressing room.
Homegrown Quota Check: Alavés have a strong tradition of promoting from their Ibaia academy. Six B-team players—Izei Hernández, Álvaro García, Xanet Olaiz, Carlos Ballestero, Ander Varona, and Grégoire Swiderski—have been promoted for pre-season, with several having already made first-team debuts. Izei Hernández, a 19-year-old forward, signed a contract until 2030 and is viewed as one of the academy’s brightest jewels.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Alavés operate with one of the smallest budgets in La Liga. Their salary cap for 2026/27 is €43.25 million, an increase of €2.25 million from the previous year, representing a 5.5% rise. This places them 18th in the league’s spending limits. The club’s financial model relies on player sales—Joaquín Panichelli, Carlos Vicente, Tomás Conechny, Santiago Mouriño, and Víctor Parada have all been sold in recent windows—alongside commercial revenue and season ticket income. The moderate increase reflects prudent management rather than any significant new investment.
Contract Red Alerts: Antonio Blanco’s situation is the most urgent. With his contract expiring in June 2027, the club face the prospect of losing their most important midfielder for nothing. Sivera’s renewal has removed one major concern, but Blanco’s future remains unresolved and will likely dominate the coming months. Ander Guevara, Denis Suárez, Mariano, and Jonny Otto also enter the final year of their contracts.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: Izei Hernández is the name to monitor. The 19-year-old forward, who joined from Santutxu FC in 2024, signed a contract until 2030 and made his official debut in the Copa del Rey against Portugalete. He scored four goals in 30 appearances for the B team in Segunda RFEF and has been a regular in first-team dynamics. Aitor Mañas, another academy forward, is highly rated by Sánchez Flores and appears ready for a permanent first-team role. Grégoire Swiderski, a French goalkeeper, is viewed as one of the most promising young stoppers in the academy.
Notable Out on Loan: The club’s loan strategy focuses on securing competitive minutes for developing players, though specific departures remain limited in available information.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Toni Martínez (First Choice) / Lucas Boyé (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Carles Aleñá / Denis Suárez.
Corners & Crosses: Carles Aleñá and Ángel Pérez are the primary deliverers. Miguel Rodríguez’s arrival adds another option from wide areas.
For Fantasy La Liga managers, Toni Martínez remains the standout Alavés asset. His 14-goal campaign demonstrated genuine top-flight scoring ability, and his partnership with Boyé ensures a steady supply of chances. Antonio Blanco’s defensive contribution numbers and passing volume make him an intriguing budget midfield option if the scoring system rewards those metrics. Sivera’s clean-sheet potential, underpinned by Sánchez Flores’ compact defensive structure, makes him a viable cheap goalkeeper.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Alavés enter the 2026/27 season with a clarity of purpose that has been absent in recent years. Sánchez Flores has had time to implement his ideas, the core of the squad has been retained, and the club’s financial house is in order. The objective is straightforward: secure a fourth consecutive season in the top flight, ideally with less drama than last year.
The attacking partnership of Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé remains the team’s greatest strength. If both stay fit, Alavés have a goalscoring foundation that many mid-table rivals lack. Miguel Rodríguez’s arrival adds pace and unpredictability, while Mariano’s resurgence provides proven cover.
The defence is the primary concern. Garcés’ suspension leaves a void until November, and the new centre-back pairing of Valentini and Koski must adapt quickly. Sánchez Flores’ compact block and zonal defending will help, but the margin for error is slim.
The club’s ambition extends beyond mere survival. Sánchez Flores has spoken of “growing” and “not renouncing higher heights.” Sporting director Fernández has even mentioned dreaming of Europe. Those are long-term aspirations rather than immediate targets, but they reflect a club that is no longer satisfied with simply avoiding relegation.
If Blanco signs a new contract, if the defence holds firm, and if Martínez and Boyé stay healthy, Alavés have the tools to establish themselves comfortably in mid-table. The continuity that defines this squad is both its greatest asset and its potential limitation. But in a division where chaos is the norm, stability is a precious commodity.
